What Happens To Your Circulation When You Feel Anxious

Whether it's giving a big presentation or getting hit with an unexpected bill, everyone feels anxiety from time to time. That mental and emotional stress activates your sympathetic nervous system — also known as the "fight or flight" response — to help your body deal with a perceived threat. When this happens, you might notice physical symptoms like sweaty palms, a faster heartbeat, and quicker breathing.

Anxiety can also make it feel like your blood is racing through your veins. That's because adrenaline rushes blood to your muscles and heart to get you ready to act. Your blood pressure goes up, helping pump blood more forcefully throughout your body. But here's the catch: if you start breathing too fast, your arteries can actually constrict instead of dilate. That makes it harder for bl