Dealing With Stress And Anxiety The Natural Way

If you have ever had an anxiety attack or suspect that you may suffer from a general anxiety disorder, this information will be quite helpful to you. million Americans have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorders, including panic disorders, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorders. Another million people with anxiety suffer mild to moderate symptoms. On average, % of all people with a general anxiety disorder will consult with more than physicians before the cause of their symptoms is accurately diagnosed. A recent study at Harvard Medical School reported that patients who cope poorly with stress become ill four times more often than those with good coping skills. If you are not sure if you suffer from a general anxiety disorder, the following is a list of the most frequent signs of anxiety. They are: trembling, rapid heartbeat, lump in throat, frozen smile, neckaches, indigestion, insomnia, overeating, preoccupation with illness, fear of embarrassment or rejection, and fear of being ugly or fat. Have you ever experienced any of these? If so, dont worry. We all go through stress at some point in our lives. As long as you dont have these feelings on a daily or weekly basis, you are probably fine. If you do experience a good portion of these signs of anxiety, read through the list below for strategies to developing inner peace. Movement- Physical activity helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Walking is especially good for anxiety. Try not to push yourself to the point where its unpleasantif you are straining or pushing yourself to hard, it will not be as beneficial in reducing anxiety. Relax- Scientific studies have demonstrated that when viewing natural landscapes (sky, trees, greenery, water or flowers) people tend to feel more relaxed and less anxious. Remember, you deserve to enjoy your life and there is no reason to feel guilty about relaxing! Eat right- It is important to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Balancing the diet helps to balance the levels of neurotransmitters involved in keeping stress and depression in check. Take charge- A major cause of anxiety is the feeling of a lack of control. Helplessness is a huge component in depression and anxiety. It is a good idea to ask yourself questions like, Why am I doing this? or Do I have to do this? or Will the world end if I dont? Most importantly, dont be afraid to say no if you dont feel comfortable doing something. Take inventory on what causes you anxiety. Take the anxiety test I found in natural health magazine below. = no anxiety = mild anxiety = moderate anxiety = severe anxiety

____ confronting a loved one about a problem ____ making a major purchase or investment ____ making a mistake, failing ____ being seen naked or in a bathing suit ____ sexual preference ____ keeping things neat and orderly ____ heavy commuter traffic ____ deadlines, evaluations or tests ____ financial obligations, unpaid bills ____ feeling stared at ____ going to a public restroom ____ being criticized ____ talking to people in authority ____ the sight of blood ____ socializing at a party ____ giving or receiving a gift ____ making cold calls at work ____ being on time for appointments or events ____ packing for a trip ____ waiting in line ____ being in enclosed places ____ eating along in a restaurant ____ speaking to a group ____ taking a business call ____ the thought of death ____ being in a crowd ____ entering the elevator ____ going in an airplane ____ driving a car ____ going to a doctor or dentist ____ going to sleep or waking up ____ coming home to an empty house ____ rejection in love or at work

Add your score up. Which category do you fall in?

-: you have no to mild anxiety. -: mild to moderate anxiety -: moderate anxiety and over: a possible anxiety disorder

If indeed you suspect that you suffer from a general anxiety disorder, please consult your physician. You can also try taking Kava or Siberian Ginseng supplements to help relax you. I also recommend reading Psycho-Cybernetics by Walter Maltz. This incredibly life-changing book discusses the power our mind has on our self-image and happiness. Anxiety and stress are very real components in our lives. It is amazing how much they wear on our body, not to mention our mental health. If you do experience high levels of stress or general anxiety, get it under control as soon as possible. See your physician and begin to take inventory of your life. You are important, so take care of yourself! Yours in healthy living, Colleen Palati colleen@healthyrevelations.com Douglas Fir Drive Pittsburgh, PA