FEAR AND ANXIETY

WHY WE HOLD FEAR AND ANXIETY IN OUR CHEST AND SHOULDERS AND WAYS TO RELEASE IT

Anxiety attacks and fear can increase tension in the body that tends to be physically experienced. The brain responds by exerting pain in various body muscles, especially the chest and shoulders explaining why anxiety attacks can lead to chest and muscle pain. The main reason why people hold fear and anxiety in their chest or shoulders is due to the contraction of body muscles. These conditions heighten tension which tightens chest and shoulder muscles or other body parts that might result in pain over time. Fear and anxiety activate the body’s flight or fight mode as the brain responds to the sudden stress. This can lead to breathing shortness, fast heartbeats, and physical tension which holds up in the shoulders or chest as the muscles tighten.

Ways to release it

I recommend the following methods when looking to release the tension in your chest and shoulders due to anxiety or fears;

  • Practice deep breathing to reduce the fast heart rates and ease up or relieve tightening of the chest and shoulder muscles.
  • Try effective methods that can help lower your anxiety and fear such as; finding a comfortable space away from your triggers, clear negative thoughts, meditating, and having a positive mentality.
  • Engage in physical activities such as yoga, running, or swimming to help relieve muscle tension and lower other anxiety symptoms.
  • Use meditation and relaxation apps to reduce mental stress and fears. They can significantly help calm, clear, and relax the mind elevating the anxiety held in the different body muscles.
Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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