How Stress Fuels Dizziness

If you live with vestibular dysfunction, you’ve likely experienced the frustrating connection between stress and dizziness. Maybe you’ve noticed that your symptoms flare during high-stress moments, or that the fear of getting dizzy actually makes your dizziness worse. You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it.

Let’s unpack how stress impacts the vestibular system and most importantly, what you can do to manage it.

The Brain-Body Connection

Your vestibular system, which contributes to your balance, gaze stabilization, and spatial orientation, doesn’t operate in isolation. It's in constant communication with your nervous system, visual system (your vision), and proprioceptive system (your body’s sense of position and movement in space). When you’re under stress, your nervous system shifts into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode, which can then lead to a cascade of events:

• Your muscles may tense, including those in the neck and jaw
• Your breathing may change, often becoming shallow or rapid
• Your heartrate may increase
• And your brain may become more focused on protecting you from the perceived threat than managing your vestibular symptoms

For someone with dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, nausea, lightheadedness, rocking, swaying, floating, etc., these changes can further exacerbate symptoms.

What Can Help?

The good news? You can reduce stress-related flares by using tools that support your nervous system and empower both you and your brain. Ready to learn how to break free from the infamous dizzy-anxious-dizzy cycle? We dive into the most effective strategies to stop the spiral and feel more in control here.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Broken

If you’re feeling stuck, please know this: you are not broken. Your body is trying to protect you, even if it’s going about it in a frustrating way. With the right tools and support, this cycle can be slowed, stopped, and even unlearned.

You’re not alone and you don’t have to figure this out alone, either.

Helpful Resources:

• Talk Dizzy to Me’s The Mind-Body Connection in Managing Dizziness
• Talk Dizzy to Me’s Psychological Impacts of Vestibular Dysfunction
• Talk Dizzy to Me’s How to Manage the Psychological Impacts of Living with Dizziness
• The Dizzy-Anxious-Dizzy Cycle
• More on the Dizzy-Anxious-Dizzy Cycle
• Box Breathing
• 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
• The A-C-E Method
• Tips to Stopping the Dizziness-Anxious-Cycle
• Quick Tips When in the Midst of Dizziness
• You're Dizzy... and Then Anxious... Why?
• VeDA’s Mental Health Resources
• Apps:
• Headspace
• FitOn
• Insight Timer
  

Looking for personalized support in managing your dizziness? Our vestibular therapists are here to help. Learn more about our virtual services and self-help courses at www.balancingactrehab.com or email us at info@balancingactrehab.com.

Disclaimer: This content on this website is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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