Understanding Uncontrolled Anxiety

Everyone experiences a “case of the nerves” from time to time. But anxiety can seriously affect both physical and mental health when it takes control. Learning more about uncontrolled anxiety is essential in ensuring you stay happy and healthy. So, what is anxiety? How does it affect your health? And what are some ways to relieve it? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of worry, fear, unease, or apprehension. It can range from mild to severe and manifest itself in many different forms, such as physical symptoms like palpitations or trembling or mental symptoms like worrying or ruminating on negative thoughts. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, but the key thing to remember is that no matter how intense the feeling may be, it will eventually pass.

How Does Anxiety Affect Your Health?

Anxiety can seriously affect both physical and mental health if left unchecked. On the physical side, long-term stress can lead to a range of chronic symptoms, including:

• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Decreased immunity
• Digestive issues
• High blood pressure
• Muscle tension and pain

Psychologically speaking, severe anxiety can lead to depression and other mental health issues such as panic attacks or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Recognizing these signs early on is important to keep these issues from getting worse over time.

What Are Some Ways to Relieve Anxiety?

While there are many ways to help relieve anxiety, some of the most effective methods include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, exercise, or getting outside for fresh air and sunshine. Additionally, talking through your worries with a trusted friend or family member can be extremely helpful in reducing stress levels and allowing you to process your thoughts more clearly. Finally, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor may be necessary if the feelings become too overwhelming for you to handle alone.

Resources to Learn More

Here are a few books, videos, and blogs that may help you control anxiety in your life:

• The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It – by David A. Carbonell, PhD
• The Anxiety Toolkit – by Alice Boyes, PhD
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control – National Institute of Mental Health
• Improving Physical and Mental Health with Whole Person Care – Uprise Health blog

Uncontrolled anxiety can be debilitating if left unchecked—but understanding how it works and affects your health is an essential first step toward taking back control of your life. With the right combination of tools—such as deep breathing exercises, mindful meditation practice, and talking to a trusted friend—it’s possible for anyone experiencing severe anxiety to regain their peace of mind quickly and effectively. For more information on managing anxiety, visit your Member Portal or browse our Uprise Health Resources.