Anxiety can do a number on your mental health. Frequent anxiety can also impact your physical and social health as well. Our bodies are designed to handle anxiety or stress but not for extended periods of time. Here are some of the effects that long-term anxiety has on your health.
Frequent anxiety can have a detrimental effect on your heart health. When you are anxious your heart rate increases and your heart works much harder. This increases the chance of experiencing a heart attack and a stroke. Constant stress and anxiety will increase the risk of developing heart disease. Several medical studies have even found a direct link between anxiety disorders and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disorders.
Another physical effect of anxiety is increased blood pressure. We are all familiar with faster breathing and higher blood pressure during times of high stress. Anxiety has a similar effect on blood pressure that stress has. When you are suffering from acute anxiety, you are much more likely to have higher blood pressure than someone who is not anxious. High blood pressure has been correlated with many diseases that can impact the heart, kidney, and brain.
Researchers have found a correlation between anxiety and asthma. It seems that people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks are much more likely to develop respiratory or breathing disorders. Anxiety can also aggravate existing respiratory problems such as asthma and make them worse. It is believed that anxiety makes breathing more difficult or erratic which then causes respiratory or breathing problems.
Your stomach can suffer from anxiety as well. Anxiety can cause symptoms such as stomach aches, nausea, and even diarrhea. It can also lead to indigestion and make existing gastrointestinal issues worse. Researchers have found that people suffering from anxiety were more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers.
If you are anxious or worried, then you are probably going to have trouble sleeping at times. It is then no surprise, then that anxiety is linked to insomnia. The lack of sleep that anxiety can cause can then create a vicious cycle. Sleep deprivation can further aggravate anxiety and stress. This can then cause a weakened immune system and poor judgment.
High blood sugar is also linked to anxiety. It is thought that anxiety can cause spikes in the blood sugar level. This can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Many people eat comfort foods when they are stressed out or feeling anxious. While these foods may make you feel better, they will probably make you gain weight. Anxiety and stress release hormones in the body that can increase the chances of weight gain. Belly fat is also widely believed to be linked to stress and anxiety.
You can fight acute anxiety with the help of Talkspace, which is an online therapy app. Talkspace connects you to licensed therapists right from your smartphone or tablet. This online therapy app makes it easy to discuss and deal with issues that may be contributing to your anxiety.
One of the best things about Talkspace is that you can talk to your therapist from anywhere you have access to the internet. This can be at home, at a break at work, a cafe or even outside. The online therapy that this new app offers is also priced to be less expensive than face to face meetings as well.
