Coping To Keep You Afloat

A person's ability to cope with daily events can be greatly decreased due to anxiety. Anxiety is a chronic and exaggerated feeling of worry or tension and it can affect our whole being. Anxiety causes a person to worry excessively about things in their life for no real reason. An anxious person often is unable to relax and enjoy pleasurable experiences because of their persistent worry. Severe anxiety can be debilitating.

Some symptoms of anxiety include

• Heart palpitations
• Sense of impending doom
• Nausea
• Tense muscles
• Chest pain
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Overeating or undereating
• Hyperventilating

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Anxiety can be a result of a stressful event in one's life. Stress is a normal part of life and can help keep people focused and mentally alert. However, anxiety is triggered when stress becomes too much to handle. Anxiety becomes a problem when it interferes with life, or goes on too long after the circumstance causing it passes.

Tips to tackle anxiety

• Exercise can be one of the best treatments for anxiety. Take a brisk walk or participate in a sport that you enjoy.
• Get adequate rest; **(most adults need 8 hours sleep each night).
  **Resource - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/starslp/parents/whysleep.htm
• Slow your breathing down when you feel anxious.
• Limit intake of sugar and drinks with caffeine.
• Avoid, as much as possible, those activities that you don't enjoy.
• Learn a relaxation technique, such as meditation or relaxation tapes.
• Keep yourself healthy by eating healthy and paying attention to your physical self.
• Consult your doctor if you feel your anxiety is out of control and interferes with your daily life.

References
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anxiety.html
http://health.nih.gov/result.asp/48

Resources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anxiety.html
This website of the U. S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health provides facts on anxiety including coping and available resources.

http://health.nih.gov/result.asp/48
This website describes the symptoms of anxiety disorders, effective treatments and suggests ways to make treatment more effective.

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/anxiety.htm
This website by Cynthia Perkins, M. ED., offers holistic health management tips and alternative health strategies on conventional, holistic, and integrative treatments for anxiety.

http://www.allcare.net/s2/anxietyAssess.php
This website offers a free on-line anxiety assessment and a directory of free internet mental health services and resources in the United States.

Books

Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression, 2nd edition, (paperback). Joseph J. Luciani.
The self-coaching working this book may be the ticket to greater freedom from depression and anxiety. As a alternative to traditional psychiatric option, the self-coaching and "self talk prescribed in this book may work to talk oneself out of temporary or moderate depression.

From Panic to Power: Proven Techniques to Calm Your Anxieties, Conquer Your Fears, and Put You in Control of Your Life, paperback - Lucinda Bassett.
A star in motivational broadcasting because of her long-running infomercial, "Attacking Anxiety", Bassett here offers self-help to sufferers from panic attacks, in a workbook format.

Relaxation Music

Zamfir: The Lonely Shepherd
Gheorghe Zamfir is a Romanian musician, who is a virtuoso of the Pan Flute.

Deep Relaxation - Sandy McDermott.
This deep relaxation Guided Imagery Healing Series CD was created in order to bring guided relaxation to everyone. This CD helps to elicit feelings of calm and tranquility.

Inner Sanctuary - Sandy McDermott.
Inner Sanctuary is designed to help you create a peaceful scene in your mind that evokes a sense of calmness, safety and beauty.