Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and the Nervous System If you’ve ever felt anxiety in your chest, stomach, throat, or muscles, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not weak. Anxiety isn’t just “in your head.” It’s a full-body experience rooted in how your nervous system responds to perceived stress or danger. When physical symptoms of anxiety show up, it can feel alarming. Many people worry something is “wrong” with their health, when in reality, the body is doing exactly what it