Stress and Anxiety
Stress and Anxiety Disorders
Everyone deals with stress. It is an unfortunate fact of life for most of us, though there are times when stress can be beneficial, such as when it motivates us to get things done. However, all too often it can be a weight that holds us down, gradually turning into anxiety, or aggravating existing anxiety disorders. With its many different causes, stress is different for every person, the same as anxiety is. Stress is generally the predecessor to anxiety attacks, though. Keeping stress at bay is one of the best ways to keep anxiety from rearing its ugly head and taking over.
The Connections Between Stress and Anxiety
Anything that causes our brains and bodies to react can be considered a kind of stress. When the reactions are negative - such as fast breathing, sweating, quickened heartbeat and loose bowels, among others - is when stress becomes "stressful," and can begin the process into mild anxiety, which has basically the same symptoms. Stress alone usually dissipates when the stressor is removed from the situation; anxiety does not. Anxiety, once triggered by a stressful situation, can take the ball and keep running, leaving a person in great distress.
Depending on the anxiety disorder present, stressing factors can be as simple as being asked to attend a party, to as daunting as being forced to do something that leaves the sufferer in emotional and psychological pain. Additionally, stress is sometimes little more than having a very busy day that leaves someone mentally and/or physically exhausted, only for them to try to get home to their comfort zone and end up stuck in a traffic jam for an hour. For some, the inability to escape the stress of the day in getting home is enough to start anxiety in building up.
Chemically speaking, stress causes the body to release cortisol and other hormones, which are used to combat stressors and create the energy to respond to them. While this can be good at the time of initial stress, it can also cloud the signals passing through the part of the brain which is also closely responsible for anxiety disorders. Therefore, it seems that managing stress - not just on the outside, how we physically react to it but on the inside, how our body chemistry reacts - can be critical in getting chemical levels back under control, before they create anxiety.
Interestingly, high stress levels can also be linked to depression, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders and a number of other secondary symptoms - all of which fall within the symptoms of anxiety disorders, too. It is easy to see that the two conditions are closely related. Depending on the anxiety disorder, stress can create a cyclical situation where stress causes anxiety, and anxiety causes more stress.
Managing Stress to Manage Anxiety
In order to manage anxiety disorders through stress management, it is important for sufferers to first understand what their anxiety disorders are, and what stress triggers they have. Naturally, avoiding these triggers, or gradual acclimation to them, is the main way to stop stress from causing negative effects which progress into anxiety. Of course this is not always possible in the real world, so learning different ways to manage these two conditions simultaneously is very beneficial.
Main factors in reducing and managing stress is physical activity and exercise. Getting out from behind the desk, getting out of bed, or off the couch to get outside and do something helps, and typically a lot more than most people think it will. Even if working out in a gym or doing a fitness routine with a DVD in front of the TV, it will help reduce stress levels considerably by burning a lot of excess chemicals and adrenaline which are just building up, waiting for something to react to. Along with getting some physical exercise, getting at least half an hour's worth of sunlight a day by being outside (or at the least having access to windows that let in the natural light) can greatly help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Those who suffer from high stress, depression or anxiety should try to do their work in well-lit areas that allow in natural light in order to keep their minds and their bodies the healthiest.
Other ways to increase stress reduction include diet and daily habits. Diet can play a huge part in managing of stress and of course, anxiety. Eating a well-balanced diet that is low in animal fats and high in things like vitamins and lean, healthy protein are essential for a good balance of brain chemicals. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain hydration and proper cellular function. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake tends to help as well. Getting enough time for relaxation doing pleasurable things - as well as enough sleep - is essential, too. Without enough time to let the body relax and recharge, it will become fatigued in a constant state of stress, which can eventually lead to anxiety triggers.
In the worst scenarios, medication may be necessary to help manage stress; psychotherapy is highly recommended when necessary, too. Seeing a doctor if it seems attempts at stress management continue to fail is highly suggested in order to discuss all available options in relieving stress and halting its ongoing stretch into anxiety. Various relaxation techniques like meditation - if given the chance - can also be a great help in breaking the cycle between stress and anxiety, and all their associated conditions. Be confident that putting forth these efforts will result in the necessary reduced stress and anxiety.
Everyone deals with stress. It is an unfortunate fact of life for most of us, though there are times when stress can be beneficial, such as when it motivates us to get things done. However, all too often it can be a weight that holds us down, gradually turning into anxiety, or aggravating existing anxiety disorders. With its many different causes, stress is different for every person, the same as anxiety is. Stress is generally the predecessor to anxiety attacks, though. Keeping stress at bay is one of the best ways to keep anxiety from rearing its ugly head and taking over.
The Connections Between Stress and Anxiety
Anything that causes our brains and bodies to react can be considered a kind of stress. When the reactions are negative - such as fast breathing, sweating, quickened heartbeat and loose bowels, among others - is when stress becomes "stressful," and can begin the process into mild anxiety, which has basically the same symptoms. Stress alone usually dissipates when the stressor is removed from the situation; anxiety does not. Anxiety, once triggered by a stressful situation, can take the ball and keep running, leaving a person in great distress.
Depending on the anxiety disorder present, stressing factors can be as simple as being asked to attend a party, to as daunting as being forced to do something that leaves the sufferer in emotional and psychological pain. Additionally, stress is sometimes little more than having a very busy day that leaves someone mentally and/or physically exhausted, only for them to try to get home to their comfort zone and end up stuck in a traffic jam for an hour. For some, the inability to escape the stress of the day in getting home is enough to start anxiety in building up.
Chemically speaking, stress causes the body to release cortisol and other hormones, which are used to combat stressors and create the energy to respond to them. While this can be good at the time of initial stress, it can also cloud the signals passing through the part of the brain which is also closely responsible for anxiety disorders. Therefore, it seems that managing stress - not just on the outside, how we physically react to it but on the inside, how our body chemistry reacts - can be critical in getting chemical levels back under control, before they create anxiety.
Interestingly, high stress levels can also be linked to depression, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders and a number of other secondary symptoms - all of which fall within the symptoms of anxiety disorders, too. It is easy to see that the two conditions are closely related. Depending on the anxiety disorder, stress can create a cyclical situation where stress causes anxiety, and anxiety causes more stress.
Managing Stress to Manage Anxiety
In order to manage anxiety disorders through stress management, it is important for sufferers to first understand what their anxiety disorders are, and what stress triggers they have. Naturally, avoiding these triggers, or gradual acclimation to them, is the main way to stop stress from causing negative effects which progress into anxiety. Of course this is not always possible in the real world, so learning different ways to manage these two conditions simultaneously is very beneficial.
Main factors in reducing and managing stress is physical activity and exercise. Getting out from behind the desk, getting out of bed, or off the couch to get outside and do something helps, and typically a lot more than most people think it will. Even if working out in a gym or doing a fitness routine with a DVD in front of the TV, it will help reduce stress levels considerably by burning a lot of excess chemicals and adrenaline which are just building up, waiting for something to react to. Along with getting some physical exercise, getting at least half an hour's worth of sunlight a day by being outside (or at the least having access to windows that let in the natural light) can greatly help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Those who suffer from high stress, depression or anxiety should try to do their work in well-lit areas that allow in natural light in order to keep their minds and their bodies the healthiest.
Other ways to increase stress reduction include diet and daily habits. Diet can play a huge part in managing of stress and of course, anxiety. Eating a well-balanced diet that is low in animal fats and high in things like vitamins and lean, healthy protein are essential for a good balance of brain chemicals. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain hydration and proper cellular function. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake tends to help as well. Getting enough time for relaxation doing pleasurable things - as well as enough sleep - is essential, too. Without enough time to let the body relax and recharge, it will become fatigued in a constant state of stress, which can eventually lead to anxiety triggers.
In the worst scenarios, medication may be necessary to help manage stress; psychotherapy is highly recommended when necessary, too. Seeing a doctor if it seems attempts at stress management continue to fail is highly suggested in order to discuss all available options in relieving stress and halting its ongoing stretch into anxiety. Various relaxation techniques like meditation - if given the chance - can also be a great help in breaking the cycle between stress and anxiety, and all their associated conditions. Be confident that putting forth these efforts will result in the necessary reduced stress and anxiety.
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