Why Do I Feel So Uneasy? Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Physical Discomfort

Do you ever get a strange, unsettled feeling in your body—like something isn’t quite right, but you can’t pinpoint why? Maybe your chest feels tight, your stomach is in knots, or there’s a general sense of restlessness you just can’t shake. This uneasy feeling in the body is more common than you might think, and it’s often linked to anxiety.

At UK Inkind Psychology, we understand how unsettling this can be. The good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone.

The Connection Between Anxiety and Physical Symptoms

Anxiety isn’t just something that happens in your mind—it has real, physical effects on the body. When we feel anxious, the brain sends signals to activate the fight-or-flight response, preparing us for danger (whether real or imagined). This causes a surge of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, leading to a range of physical sensations (Sapolsky, 2004).

Common ways anxiety can create an uneasy feeling in the body:

✔ Chest tightness or difficulty breathing – Often mistaken for a heart issue, but caused by tension and shallow breathing.
✔ Stomach discomfort – Anxiety can disrupt digestion, leading to nausea, bloating, or IBS-like symptoms (Mayer, 2016).
✔ Muscle tension or restlessness – The body stays on high alert, making it difficult to relax.
✔ Dizziness or lightheadedness – Hyperventilation from anxiety can reduce oxygen levels, causing dizzy spells.

If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, anxiety may be at the root of your discomfort.

Other Causes of an Uneasy Feeling in the Body

While anxiety is one of the most common culprits, other factors can also contribute to this sensation:

1. Suppressed Emotions

Unprocessed emotions don’t just disappear—they often get stored in the body (Van der Kolk, 2014). If you’ve been pushing down stress, grief, or frustration, your body might be trying to tell you something.

2. The Gut-Brain Connection

The enteric nervous system (sometimes called the "second brain") plays a huge role in how we feel. Stress and anxiety can throw off gut balance, leading to discomfort, nausea, or bloating (Mayer, 2016).

3. Hormonal Imbalances

Fluctuations in cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine can affect both mood and bodily sensations (Chrousos, 2009). This is why anxiety can feel worse during certain times of the day or month.

How to Reduce an Uneasy Feeling in Your Body

If you’re struggling with persistent discomfort, these strategies may help:

✔ Deep Breathing & Relaxation Techniques – Slow, controlled breathing can help counteract anxiety’s physical effects (Jerath et al., 2006).
✔ Mindfulness & Emotional Awareness – Identifying and processing emotions can prevent them from manifesting physically (Kabat-Zinn, 1990).
✔ Regular Movement – Gentle activities like walking, yoga, or stretching help release tension and promote calmness.
✔ Professional Support – Therapy can help uncover the root cause of your discomfort and provide effective tools to manage it.

When to Seek Professional Help

If an uneasy feeling in the body is persistent or interfering with your daily life, it may be time to seek professional support. A psychologist can help determine whether anxiety, trauma, or emotional suppression is the underlying cause—and more importantly, how to regain a sense of ease.

At UK Inkind Psychology, our expert clinical psychologists specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety and its physical symptoms. We offer a free 15-minute consultation, so you can explore how therapy may help before committing to full sessions.

Take the First Step Today

You don’t have to live with constant discomfort. Click the button at the top of the page to book your free 15-minute consultation and start feeling more at ease in your body today.

References

• Chrousos, G. P. (2009). Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(7), 374–381.

• Jerath, R., Edry, J. W., Barnes, V. A., & Jerath, V. (2006). Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: Neural, respiratory, and cardiovascular correlates. Medical Hypotheses, 67(3), 566-571.

• Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. Delacorte Press.

• Mayer, E. A. (2016). The Mind-Gut Connection. Harper Wave.

• Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. Henry Holt and Company.

• Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.