Anxiety management
Posted by Health articles on May 20th, 2009
Everyone struggles with a worry or fear over something at some point in their life. But when the worrying becomes excessive and the fears are over trivial events or situations, the effects on a person’s mental state can be detrimental and disabling.
No one enjoys the feelings that accompany anxiety – irritability, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, sweating, muscle tension, and trembling. The effects of anxiety such as these are common and typically linked to stresses about work, school, social activities, finances, family, and relationships, and can generally be treated with help from a mental health professional or, in some cases, self-help therapy.
While more severe forms of anxiety can be treated with calming drugs such as Xanax and Valium which leave the patient feeling calm and relaxed, many individuals affected by anxiety have opted for a more natural route when alleviating the stress and tension in their lives. There are a variety of ways one can manage anxiety without medication or professional assistance, including the following:
1) Make a list of specific things that trigger your anxiety. For example: running late to work or school, not having enough money to pay the bills, or being unprepared for a project or task. Once you learn to recognize the patterns that lead to unproductive worrying, you can develop a plan to address them.
2) Practice meditation or other forms of relaxation to calm your stressed and worried mind. Devote 15 to 30 minutes a day to calming techniques and refuse to focus on your worries for the duration of your session. Try a soothing music CD or putting your worries and frustrations on paper in a private journal.
3) Get out and get active. Exercise is a great treatment for excessive worrying and anxiety. Walk or run out your feelings of edginess or restlessness. Lift your spirits by dancing to an upbeat song. Get together with a friend for some tennis or a bike ride. Fresh air and physical activity are excellent self-treatments for anxiety in your everyday life.
Tags: Anxiety, anxiety management, Diseases