Continuous physical symptoms of anxiety

[Bluepolkadots42]

Since we got back from our staycation last weekend I have had the worst physical symptoms of anxiety. I've had a horrible tight chest constantly- I keep trying to take deep breaths to relieve it but it doesn't do anything. I am now experiencing chest pains on and off on both sides of my chest which I think must be due to this constant tight chested feeling. I am sleeping fine and have tried to do mindfulness, deep breathing, exercise, CBT tehcniques to explore what it is I am anxious about. None have offered much if any relief. I would say I am experiencing these physical symptoms for the majority of the day- from when I wake until I go to sleep.
Does anyone have any advice for things I can try/do?

I am thinking I will self-refer back for CBT but this usually takes 3 weeks to get a phone session and the chest pains are now really starting to worry me and I am getting another layer of anxiety about what physical impact these anxiety symptoms are having on me.

You poor thing. The mind can do awful things to the body. I suggest get a good walk in (or other exercise) each day - use up all that excess nervous tension you’re carrying around. Be kind to yourself and prioritise the basics - are you drinking enough water? Eating well? Not having lots of sugary / carb-heavy snacks (ie try to keep your blood sugar steady). Are you sleeping ok? It sounds boring but if those things are all ok, anxiety is likely to improve.

@BritInAus thanks for your reply. It is really crap I have to say- I can't work out if it's because on holiday I felt so totally relaxed and now I've gone back to my 'normal' environment my 'normal' level of anxiety has returned and the holiday has just highlighted it.
I am working on improving my diet- it is definitely an area I need to address. I am very overweight, have put on more during lockdown and this is something I am worried and anxious about. On holiday we were doing at least 1 hour of walking (lots of hills) and since we've been back I've tried to be out and do at least 1 hour of exercise (usually 30 min blocks) I have been successful about 60% of the time doing that. My sleep is fine- which is odd because usually that's the first thing that goes wonky when I am highly anxious. I definitely drink enough water- I am quite fixated on water intake and making sure I have a water bottle with me everywhere I go.
I will plod on with focusing on getting enough exercise and getting diet on track. Thanks for taking time to answer :)

You’re very welcome! Don’t stress about fixing your diet to perfect... it doesn’t need to be a weight loss thing, I just know for myself that when I’m anxious I will eat more sugar (biscuits and tea etc) which doesn’t help keeping blood sugars even. Better to eat healthier protein snacks etc. obviously make a GP appointment if the chest pain gets bad or lasts a week or two to rule out a physical cause. Be kind to yourself. Post holiday blues suck!

Horrible isn't it. I'm currently sat here feeling like I can't take a deep breath and like my throat is closing. I know it's anxiety as I've had these symptoms for years but it doesn't make it any better. Last week I had the chest pains.
Would getting an MOT at GP's put some worries at rest and spur you on whilst you wait for CBT? Maybe then you can start to move forward.

@Spied poor you- it is so miserable. Are you feeling any better today?
I think I will make a GP appointment- I am wondering if some of the sensations I have with my chest are actually post-covid related. I am pretty certain I had covid back in March- just as we lockdowned. I had loss of smell and skewed taste, which weren't being given as symptoms at the time but are now. One of the key things I had in March was this horrible burning sensations in my chest constantly- like how your chest feels after you've just sprinted for a bus or something when you're pretty unfit. I have that horrible burning sensation back at the minute, which isn't relieved by deep breathing, slow breathing, shallow breathing or any other kind of breathing I've tried. It feels like something is irritating my chest constantly. So I don't think this is helping.

Better day today thanks, although I'm hyper aware and feel like I'm waiting for symptoms which is just crazy.
Very possible post-covid related although
I'd also ask the G.P about GERD.
Anxiety is a huge trigger and I get the burning sensation too occasionally ( although I'm mostly treated to the stabbing in the heart area sensations).
Wishing u well.
Oh, and a heat pad can sometimes help I've found. ( Although treating burning sensation with heat doesn't sound like it makes much sense).
Luckily I've had no experience of Covid.