A new European study reshapes how we view anxiety’s effect on bodily awareness, especially among women. The research finds that high anxiety makes it harder for women to accurately interpret subtle bodily signals, such as small changes in breathing. Men did not show the same pattern, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive mental health strategies. In Thailand, these findings offer a scientific explanation for a common feeling many women describe—being “out of tune” with their bodies when stressed—and underscore the importance of inclusive screening and support within Thai health care.
In today’s fast-paced Thai society, anxiety is widespread yet often overlooked, particularly for women juggling family duties, financial worries, and traditional expectations. This study resonates with many Thai readers who experience similar sensations during stressful periods. It also reinforces the case for gender-responsive mental health services in Thailand’s evolving health policy discussions.
The study used a controlled breathing task where participants experienced barely perceptible resistance to breathing. Afterward, they reported perceived resistance and their confidence in those judgments. Researchers assessed sensitivity to change, decisiveness, and metacognitive insight—the link between confidence and accuracy.
Researchers found that while baseline bodily awareness was similar across genders, higher anxiety levels were linked to poorer interpretive accuracy only in women. As a leading researcher from a prominent New Zealand university explained, “On average, men and women have the same interoception. But the link between state anxiety and interoceptive insight differs by sex—lower anxiety improves insight for both, yet greater anxiety worsens it only for women.”
This aligns with broader meta-analytic work showing a relationship between self-reported interoception and anxiety. Recent reviews note that anxious individuals may pay more attention to bodily sensations and struggle to describe signals and emotions, even when actual perception accuracy varies. Thailand’s mental health community can draw on this evidence to better understand gender-specific experiences of anxiety and body awareness.
Interoception, or bodily awareness, underpins everyday experiences—hunger, fatigue, pain, and the jittery sensation of anxiety in the stomach. When these signals are misread, people may develop health anxieties or miss real symptoms. In Thailand, where mental health stigma can be a barrier, these findings matter. The cultural concept of kreng jai—consideration for others and reluctance to burden them—may further complicate conversations about anxiety and body sensations for women.
Experts caution against misinterpretation. The research does not suggest women “overreact.” Rather, anxiety appears to affect how the brain processes bodily signals, potentially producing under- or over-awareness in different moments. Understanding gender differences may lead to more precise and compassionate treatments.
For Thailand, the study stresses integrating mental and physical health care. A student experiencing heart palpitations during exam season, for example, benefits from sensitive support rather than admonitions to “just relax.” Clinicians and educators should recognize legitimate physiological confusion caused by anxiety and offer gender-aware guidance.
Thai medical practice has long blended mind and body approaches, including traditional massage therapies to ease stress. As Western health models gain prominence, Thai women may navigate between traditional expectations of composure and modern stressors. The new findings invite a fusion of approaches that respects culture while promoting effective care.
Looking ahead, the research opens doors for prevention and intervention. Thai clinicians, policymakers, and educators should consider anxiety screening that includes questions about bodily awareness, particularly for women. Community groups, mindfulness programs, and movement therapies such as yoga or tai chi can strengthen mind–body connections. Public health campaigns should aim to destigmatize anxiety and acknowledge its unique impact on women.
Practical guidance for Thai readers emphasizes listening to bodily signals, tracking symptoms in a simple health journal, and seeking support when anxious periods disrupt body awareness. Loved ones can provide nonjudgmental listening, while schools and workplaces can offer stress-management resources. By acknowledging anxiety’s hidden effects on body awareness, Thailand can build a healthier, more resilient society.
For further reading and practical tips on managing anxiety and improving body awareness, consider credible, non-brand-specific resources from research-backed institutions and peer-reviewed reviews:
- Research by leading universities on interoception and anxiety
- Meta-analyses compiling global findings on body awareness and anxiety
- Reviews highlighting how anxiety shapes perception of bodily signals