Feeling Numb or Tingly? It Might Be Anxiety
Ever felt a weird tingling in your hands, sudden numbness, or even dizziness that makes you wonder, What’s going on with my body? You’re not alone. At least half of my clients struggling with anxiety also experience unexplained physical symptoms: numbness, dizziness, chest pain, and more.
Most of them start by visiting doctors, undergoing tests, and even getting MRI scans, only to be told: “You’re physically fine. It’s stress.” That’s when they realize anxiety isn’t just in the mind, it can take over the body, too.
Anxiety Speaks Through Your Body. Are You Listening?
Anxiety isn’t just a racing heart or a restless mind. It can show up as physical discomfort, demanding your attention. Your emotions are like messages, nudging you toward self-care and healing. Learning to decode these messages is key to managing anxiety. Curious? Learn more here.
One of my clients, a passionate football player, found himself unable to play because of persistent numbness. It got so bad that climbing stairs felt like a challenge. The hardest part? He lost confidence in his body, he even hesitated to carry his own child, fearing his limbs would fail him.
These sensations aren’t random. They’re your body’s way of waving a red flag, asking you to pay attention to what’s really going on inside. And that’s exactly where healing begins.
What Can You Do? Start Here:
If you’re dealing with this, and you don’t know where to start, here are three simple yet powerful steps:
1. Pinpoint & Describe What You Feel
Instead of saying, “My arm feels numb,” try this:
👉 “There’s a tingling sensation in my left arm, like tiny needles poking me. It lasts 3-5 minutes and happens about five times a day, usually peaking before bedtime.”
The more detailed you get, the better you can understand and externalize what’s happening. Think of it as translating your body’s signals into words.
Even better, you could print out or draw a body outline and start writing, drawing, or doodling where you feel the sensations. This helps to externalize the sensation so you can see through impactful images how your discomfort “looks.” This activity is highly effective in helping you connect with the numbness, pain, or tingling in a deeper way
2. Ask Your Body: What Do You Need?
Once you’ve described the sensation, ask yourself: What can I do to feel better?
At first, you might not get an answer, and that’s okay. Keep asking. With time, your body may reveal small but helpful responses: maybe you need to stretch, take deep breaths, sip water, or simply rest. Instead of panicking, approach your body with curiosity and care.
3. Repeat. Trust. Heal.
This isn’t a one-time fix. Your body has learned to channel anxiety into physical symptoms, and it will take consistent effort to rewire this response. The goal? To train your body to trust that you’re paying attention, so it no longer needs to scream through pain and numbness.
Be Kind to Yourself ❤️ Healing Takes Time
This process might feel strange or even difficult at first, and that’s perfectly normal. But every small step counts. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
If you need one-on-one support, book a session with me here:
👉 Schedule an appointment
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