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Anxiety And Solutions For Stress
Anxiety is something that plagues the large majority of Americans, as the pressures of financial, emotional and physical stability are increasing the levels of stress in Americans is increasing as well. There are many types of anxiety disorders that include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences at times. Many people feel anxious, or nervous, when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision. Anxiety disorders, however, are different. They can cause such distress that it interferes with a person’s ability to lead a normal life. An anxiety disorder is a serious mental illness. For people with anxiety disorders, worry and fear are constant and overwhelming, and can be crippling. By overcoming anxiety and stress a person can lead a more balanced and healthy life.
Stress is one of the leading causes of health issues in the United States. It can exasperate problems into even more serious issues; “The three main causes of General Anxiety Disorder of GAD are; genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors.”(Generalized Anxiety Disorder) Genetics: Some research suggests that family history plays a part in increasing the likelihood that a person will develop GAD. This means that the tendency to develop GAD may be passed on in families. Brain chemistry: GAD has been associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. “Neurotransmitters are special chemical messengers that help move information from nerve cell to nerve cell.”(Neurotransmitters) If the neurotransmitters are out of balance, messages cannot get through the brain properly. This can alter the way the brain reacts in certain situations, leading to anxiety. Environmental factors: Trauma and stressful events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools, may lead to GAD. “GAD also may become worse during periods of stress. The use of and withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can also worsen anxiety.”(Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
In order to overcome anxiety and manage stress keep a positive attitude, try and accept that there are events that you cannot control. And learn and practice relaxation techniques. Make an effort to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events. Don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to reduce stress. Seek out social support. Learn to manage your time more effectively. As long as you maintain a balance throughout your life it will be much easier to maintain your stress level and therefore control your anxiety.
Stress and Anxiety can sometimes be beneficial to the body’s survival it triggers the fight or flight response, but other times stress and anxiety can become harmful to the body. To maintain balance and keep focus is key in the ability to overcome stress and anxiety, balance between work and home life is necessary. Tensions and worries can be cured with just a little consciousness of opportunities for self help. Heartmath recommends that “By achieving coherence in your heart, mind and spirit you can maintain a calm, balanced, yet alert state at home, school, work and play.”(Solutions for Stress) Only you, can overcome stress, and these other anxieties and de-stress yourself. Stress is necessary, but excessive stress is toxic. There is no promise of a stress and anxiety free life but a person can maintain it and keep it in check with the proper exercises.
Works cited
- ”Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” Introduction to Anxiety. Web. 21 Jan. 2010. .
- “Neurotransmitters.” Neurological Control. Web. 21 Jan. 2010. .
- “Solutions for Stress.” Institute of Heartmath. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. .
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