Anxiety: Tips For Dealing With It

We all have anxiety and stress in our lives. It's inevitable. How many times have you gone to the grocery store and realized that you are in fact in the slowest check -out in the store, or you run into a traffic jam at an inconvenient time, or you lost a job, or you moved? Obviously this list could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the point.

For some os us being stuck in traffic is an inconvenience but not particularly stressful. For others it could ruin their day. So makes the difference? Some of us just cope better than others.

Another problem is the fact that some people simply do not utilize appropriate coping mechanisms when they experience feelings of anxiety and stress. Did you know that suppressing your feelings may be one of the worst things you can do for your health?

It is vital that you find a way to deal with stress that will work for you. Some people find that they can tolerate stress better if they take a break from reality for a period of time. Fortunate individuals are able to take actual vacations or perhaps visit a spa.

But many of us have to accept a smaller version of that and use our minds to take a break. This can be done in a matter of minutes and it really can change the way you feel. The next time you are feeling stressed try closing your eyes and imagining the most magnificent place you can.

Make this your ‘escape haven’. When you think about this place make it wonderful – but keep in mind that this is your place and only your place. You get to design in whatever fashion you like. The colors do not have to relate to what is real or in nature – you can have purple trees and a blue sun in an orange sky if you like.

It’s your private escape. Let this be a place you can go to in your mind at anytime at all. Here you are safe and trouble free – all is good. You are rested and happy. There is never any stress or anxiety here!

You may find that breathing exercises help with your stress as well. Practice controlled breathing. Breathe in deeply and hold that for just a moment before you let the air escape. Make your breathing regular and even.

If you find that something is stirring up stressful thoughts try the old favorite of talking yourself down, telling yourself that it will be all right. Be your own friend! If you cannot escape from reality for the time it takes to do any of those things you may find that through controlled breathing and a simple counting to ten you are able to regain composure.

Journaling seems to be very helpful for many people. Since you are encouraged to share your problems – with a t least one other person – believe me, many of us would rather not share – it helps to put those thoughts down on paper. We can even burn the paper afterward but just getting the thoughts out seems to help.

This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as appropriate coping means are concerned. Some of us find comfort in food or alcohol. Some of us hide ourselves away. It's blatantly clear that some forms of coping can lead to more harm than good. That is why it is important to explore the various techniques until you find one that works for you.

Regardless, we all need little ways to help us ‘get through’ our stressful times. Try various techniques until you find something that works for you! For more information about anxiety and ways to cope with it click on any link in this blog.

Stress: How Can You Escape From It?

Did you know that stress can be a good thing? We've all come to think of it in such a negative way that we forget some of the benefits a little stress can provide. It's good that it can be a good thing because no matter how hard we try - we can never avoid all stress - it's a part of daily living. Think about it!

You may be wondering how stress can possibly be good for us – after all – stress seems to make us feel frustrated and, well, stressed out. But if we didn’t have at a little stress in our lives we would not worry about deadlines, whether that is work related, or a doctor’s appointment. Bills would not get paid.

A little stress can help us maintain control over our surroundings and that is a good thing. As I said, we cannot escape from stress completely – it doesn’t matter how much money you have or where you live – stressors are everywhere.

They can be as simple as a busy phone line or as complex as foreclosure on your home. But why does one person perceive something as a stressor and the next does not? Do they have a secret of some sort? Is it their outlook on life? Are they more optimistic than the people that get stressed over the smaller things?

Studies tell us we will feel stress when the demands of a situation seem to be greater than our biological, psychological, or social systems. I think that’s a long way of saying we will feel stress when we feel the situation is out of our control.

This may be when we are asked to speak in public, or going on a first date, or even meeting new people. Surely you’ve heard the saying, ‘Where the mind goes the body follows’, and I cannot think of a time that this applies more.

If you perceive a situation as stressful then it will be. There is not any question that particular things in life are stressful to us. That includes things like moving, starting a new job, a new addition to the family, the death of a loved one, getting fired from a job…..etc.

Can you see that some of the things on that list are actually positive events that one may expect to completely enjoy – but there is still a stress value included. So what can we do about stress – obviously we cannot avoid it.

Here are a few things that may help:

· Yoga

· Meditation

· Tai Chi

· Conscious Breathing

· Dancing

Some people find that an occasional vacation or a massage helps to reduce the stress in their lives. The only problem with this is that it is usually a short-term solution. On a daily basis try to add something to your life that you enjoy – even if it’s as simple as having some pretty flowers or an art piece to enjoy.

Do fun things whenever you can. Practice walking, working, and eating at a relaxed pace. Take breaks after meals to just relax for a few minutes. Get some fresh air everyday – if only for a few minutes – go outdoors and find something in nature that you can admire.

Dress comfortably. Remove your shoes when you can – the idea is to make you feel comfortable inside and out. If you notice yourself tensing up be sure to practice controlled breathing.

When you are overcome with stress it is important that you do not hold your feelings in. If possible share your feelings with at least one other person. If not, try journaling. Believe it or not this can be an effective coping mechanism.

Because stress will always be around - lurking just over your shoulder or behind the elements in your surroundings you should be prepared for it. Learn to deal effectively. What works for me may not work for you - be open to trying a few options before you decide that nothing will work! Take control of your life!

For more information on stress click on any link in this blog.

Agoraphobia and It’s Relationship to Panic Attacks

Agoraphobia and It’s Relationship to Panic Attacks

Perhaps one of the most debilitating disorders is that of agoraphobia. While some suffer silently others become so fear stricken that they decide their safe zone is the only place they be exist comfortably. Agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces, public places, and crowds. The intensity of the fear varies from one sufferer to the other.

Many times the sufferer will become so worried about the potential of having a panic attack at a place or time that would be intolerable that he decides staying home is a safer option. This can result in a person becoming a virtual prisoner in his own home.

Stress or high anxiety is thought to be the cause of panic attacks. These attacks occur without warning and cause the sufferer to feel intense fear and a sense of dread. Outward reactions to this internal stimulus vary.

Some people seem to ‘lose it’ and others are better at masking the emotional turmoil they are experiencing. But most have extreme feelings of wanting to escape, and some complain that they fear they are dying or going crazy.

Obviously it would be difficult to manage such emotions and keep a calm demeanor. These sufferers become terrified that they will suffer an attack and behave inappropriately at the worst time.

That is how the cycle begins; a fear (related to the panic attack itself), the body responds, eventually the person is able to determine which places or situations seem to provoke the anxiety attacks, so will tend to avoid such situations.

As time goes by these people seem to completely isolate themselves from the world. But it is not because they want to - it is out of a need for freedom from the panic attacks that they suffer when they let their guard down.

Fortunately new techniques have been found that can help with such anxiety related disorders and the sufferers often are able to completely eradicate the disorder from their life. There is hope for all! For more information click any link in this blog.

Panic Attacks: An Internal War

I used to suffer from panic attacks. They began in my early twenties and I suffered with the attacks for almost twenty years. Panic attacks are not understood by the general population as most people have not experienced the way they can change your life.

I never knew when this was going to happen – that was the really scary part…I think if I could have been prepared for the attacks it wouldn’t have been so bad. Then I could’ve made certain provisions for it – LIKE HIDING IN BED UNDER A BALNKET – until it was over!

Okay, if you’ve had a panic attack you can relate to that and if you haven’t, well you may never understand what it’s really like to be out shopping and suddenly – for no apparent reason you feel an intense fear. You scout around your surroundings and cannot find any validation for this feeling but you cannot pretend it’s not there.

As the tension mounts you feel your throat start to close and breathing becomes difficult. You can feel your heart racing. You know you need to get out of there – NOW – but you also know you’re being ridiculous, but guess what, your fear wins out – who cares if your fears are unfounded – you know what you feel!

So you hurriedly leave the store with your companion wondering what the hell is going on. Your only thought is to get out – get out to safety. And within minutes the worst of the feelings are gone and you begin to slowly feel better.

What just happened????

Well to begin with, you experienced a feeling of fear or anxiety (side note here: panic attacks are thought to be caused by excessive anxiety). Your body responded like it’s supposed to.

Remember the “Fight or Flight Response”? That’s what’s happening to your body during an attack. You sense fear, your brain sends a message to the nervous system. The sub-category of the nervous system – sympathetic nervous system goes to work speeding up your heart rate, which is getting blood to all areas of your body, and compensating in all ways possible.

The other category of the nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system. This system will work to calm things down again and although it may not happen immediately it will happen. You won’t die from a panic attack.

Essentially you have too extreme forces battling it out inside you. The good guy always wins....but you have to suffer through the battle. Sometimes you come out a little dazed and confused and sometimes you just want to cry. It all depends on how bad that particular attack was. Even the ones that 'aren't so bad' are not pleasant ! For more information visit any of the links in this blog.