Stress is a normal part of life, but there is no need for it to be unmanageable. When stress is not properly managed, it can morph into anxiety. Having an excess amount of anxiety in your life can eventually lead to health problems. Read on for more information on ways to deal with anxiety and how you can effectively deal with it.
Tips to Handle Stress and Anxiety
It is sometimes possible to distract yourself and prevent an anxiety attack. Get involved with activities and people that you find enjoyable. This can prevent you from thinking negative thoughts, and help you to relax.
People who have heart problems don’t really worry about speaking to a doctor about it. Don’t be ashamed to speak with a medical professional if you suffer from anxiety. Anxiety is a medical condition that requires the expertise of a doctor for proper treatment.
What is one thing that can really help kick anxiety out of your life? When you are able to tap into your sense of humor, you help reduce your anxiety. Search your life for those things that bring happiness, and that you can be thankful for. Whenever you begin to have an anxious feeling, find a way to bring laughter into your day, such as a favorite funny movie or fun song.
Laughter
Laughter truly is the best type of medicine you can use. These are more than just words, particularly as they apply to anxiety. When you feel like you are under pressure, find a way to laugh, as it can help to release negative feelings. Though you may be skeptical about the curative effects of laughter, the truth is that it really can ameliorate anxiety. Humor is a great way to decrease the symptoms of anxiety and may help prevent the onset of an anxiety attack.
External Stimuli
A lot of anxiety is caused by external stimuli, a lot of people are genetically predisposed to anxiety. If you think that this is your situation, you might want to consult a professional in order to know if there are any medications that you can take.
Exercise
A great medication-free way to alter your brain chemistry is through exercise. Anxiety is exacerbated by low levels of serotonin in your brain. Doing things like taking a brisk walk, gardening, or a gym workout help to produce dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which are two things that cause you to feel relaxed. This won’t just lower your anxiety levels, but it can also help you deal with depression.
Make small goals for yourself and try to achieve them throughout the day. When you do this you will be more focused all day. This really reduces negative thoughts and lowers anxiety. Try keeping your mind on more constructive thoughts and objectives instead.
Connect With Nature
Do not sit down during the day too much. If you sit a lot at work, move around and get exercise on breaks. Simply standing up throughout the day is beneficial as well. When you are at home, make sure that you also stay active. Go for a lot of walks and don’t just sit in front of the television. While you require rest and relaxing time, having too much can increase your anxiety. Going for a 15 minute walk can do wonders for anxiety and stress.
Pet The Dog
Pet therapy has been amazing in treating stress and anxiety. Living with a pet comes with many benefits. Including love, constant friendship, and affection. In one study, 75% of people reported better mental health.
Some hospitals are now using pet therapy on their pediatric units and their cancer units. The patients love these pets!
Yoga and Tai Chi
Tai Chi was originally used for self-defense. Tai Chi has now grown into a graceful form of stress reduction. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that today is practiced as a form of exercise. Tai involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner accompanied by deep breathing.
Conclusion
This article should have shown you that stress and anxiety is not something that you may want, but you might have to deal with them. We aren’t able to get rid of these things, but there are ways to deal with them. Take the advice you have read here and put it to use so that you can feel armed against anxiety attacks.
My name is Phyllis Robinson MSN, RN. I have been a Registered Nurse for 27 years in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I am passionate about cardiac care and heart disease. I also want this blog to be an educational tool that people can refer to for traditional and alternative treatment. I will blog on heart disorders such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and high cholesterol.
I received my Nursing degree from Baltimore Community College.
I went on to receive my Masters in Nursing from Walden University
I have worked for almost 30 years in Critical Care with a focus on heart health. I am an advocate of preventive healthcare.
