Cold/flu enhanced by anxiety?

[Xzanion 3]

Ok I'm 16, and I have recently got a cold/flu, and yes, I have bad anxiety, my stomach has been feeling very discomforting, and same with my chest and basically everything, I was feeling good before I got the cold/flu, But I am wondering, are my physical symptoms gonna be enhanced because of the illness that I have gotten, if so, how do I deal with it?

[Mark G 1186]

I just want to add to this question that we have been talking in chat for 2 months,  we have spoken about this subject today but this lads anxiety is being truly awful to him. It's making him disbelieve everything,  even doctors all clear.   Anxiety is cruel,  it's a professional pain,  it knows just how to tweak all the right places to get a response.   Self analysis amplifies the situation.   I wish I had the power to remove anxiety for everyone.   That power does exist,  but WE have to use it as individuals.  Chin up,  it will get better  

[ZigZiglar 10]

Anxiety naturally swings your body into "fight or flight" mode, the opposite of which is the restorative mode that slows you down to create ideal healing and relaxation chemistry.

So yes, anxiety exasperates and can even cause a myriad physical dramas, including negatively affecting the immune system - which could make you more susceptible to catch a cold in the first place, as well as putting more stress on your struggling body.

The good news is that all these "inexplicable" issues have an explanation after all and they can be treated and symptoms will improve.

The easiest strategy for me to try and balance my anxiety out is being mindful and using breathing techniques that force me into the present and also help slow my heart rate and lower blood pressure. It's as simple as breathing in deeply, then taking a short pause before breathing out, making sure the out breath is longer than the in. A way to add even more mindfulness is to concentrate on the breathes taking place either in your heart and imagine they create a path of healing light OR simply focus on your nostrils, which will improve your sense of smell and bring your irrational fears and ruminations back to earth.

 

Take care

Edited October 1, 2015 by ZigZiglar

[Mark G 1186]

Mindfulness can be very powerful if you really absorb yourself in it.   It's a really good method if anxiety strikes, that with acceptance of how you're feeling can work wonders. 

[jonathan123 2367]

It's always difficult for the Western mind to grasp Eastern ideas in regard to ways and means. Mindfulness is a good example. It's not something you do before you go to work and when, if you have time, you do in the evening. It's not meditation. It's a state of mind that is with you every day throughout your life. We Westerners tend to tinker with Eastern ideas. We fasten on to so called 'Gurus' without any real understanding of what they are talking about. It appeals to us because it's different and may offer a way out of our dilemma. Mindfulness is an Eastern philosophy; a way of life not a remedy for anxiety. We can't 'use' these methods to get us out of a hole. They need to be practised for their own sake without any desire for reward.  Every second of every day we need to be mindful of our actions. What we think; how we treat others, how we speak, look at the world, deal with situations. In the West we are guided by our instincts. If someone upsets us we fight back. If annoyed we get angry. All this leads to inner conflict and anxiety. We need to 'change our minds'. A complete change of attitude to ourselves and others. We have to love our neighbour as ourselves. Mindfulness allows this to happen not because it's another 'method' but because love and understanding are built into it.     Jon. 

[Mark G 1186]

Cheers Jon, didn't really think about it in that way.