Feeling worried, anxious, or nervous is a normal part of everyday
life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. However, anxiety that
is overwhelming and interferes with daily life is not normal. When you are
anxious, you may have both physical and emotional symptoms.
Physical symptoms of anxiety include:
- Difficulty sleeping or a change in your sleep
pattern.
- Trembling, twitching, or shaking.
- Muscle
tension, aches, or soreness.
- Restlessness or
fatigue.
- Breathlessness or rapid heartbeat.
- Sweating or
cold, clammy hands.
- Nausea, vomiting, or an upset
stomach.
- Headaches.
Emotional symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling keyed up and on
edge.
- Excessive worrying or fearing that something bad is going to
happen.
- Inability to concentrate, to remember, or to make
decisions.
- Excessive startle response, irritability, or
agitation.
- Constant sadness.
If you are having ongoing sleep problems, consider whether you may be
more anxious than normal. If feelings of anxiety are causing your sleep
problems, work with your health professional to develop a plan to decrease your
anxiety and promote sleep.
