Anxiety can look different in every person. You may experience a fast heart rate, nausea, headaches, etc. One thing many people tend not to talk about are the more odd or not as common physical symptoms that can be related to anxiety. This week, we are going to dive deeper into six weird physical symptoms that could actually be your anxiety.

1. Excessive yawning and feeling like you can’t catch a full breath

   1. When anxious, some people tend to hyperventilate. When hyperventilating, we feel like we need to breathe more, even though we are already taking in loads of oxygen. As a result of this, it’s common for one to try to take even deeper breaths that can lead to yawning, gasping for more air, or taking extremely deep breaths.

2. Constant burping or belching

   1. When stressed or anxious, it can be common to swallow more air than we are used to, while trying to catch our breath. This intake of air can lead to excessive burping or belching. Furthermore, anxiety can cause acid reflux, or other gastrointestinal issues, which can also lead to burping and belching.

3. “Pins and needles”, or numbness/tingling in the hands and feet

   1. Anxiety can narrow blood vessels,which can reduce the blood flow to the hands, feet, or face which can lead to a tingling sensation in these parts of the body.

4. Feeling dizzy/lightheaded

   1. When experiencing an anxiety or panic attack, adrenaline gets released into the body. This can increase our heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause dizziness or even fainting. Hyperventilating can also contribute to feelings of dizziness.

5. Feeling detached from reality or yourself

   1. Also known as derealization and/or depersonalization, your life experiences may often feel distant or dreamlike. You may not feel like you are living in reality. This can most closely be linked to a combination of adrenaline and hyperventilation.

6. Having to go to the bathroom often

   1. Anxiety can contribute to muscle tension and can make your nervous system more sensitive, which can ultimately lead to a sensitive, or overactive, bladder. Additionally, anxiety can cause blood and energy to be diverted away from your digestive system, which can cause an increase in nausea and diarrhea.