New Perspectives Psychological Services, Inc.
Free article on stress management
Top Ten Stress Management Strategies for Busy People
by Dr. Barbara Hare
Free article on stress managementTop Ten Stress Management Strategies for Busy People
by Dr. Barbara Hare
Barbara Hare, Psy.D. 5125 N 16th St Suite A-102 Phoenix, AZ
Anxiety
Anxiety is a common human experience. Everyone has it once in a while. In fact, a little anxiety can be quite healthy. It's anxiety that motivates us to file our taxes on time or study for an exam. It's anxiety that makes a roller coaster fun. Low levels of anxiety can even enhance one's performance on certain tasks.
But for some individuals, anxiety is a big problem. It can be miserable...
Anxiety has three components:
1. Mind (worry, obsessive thoughts, poor concentration, self-doubt, perfectionism, etc.)
2. Body (sweating, trembling, heart pounding, GI problems, muscle tension, headaches, etc.)
3. Emotion (fear, irritability, shame)
Anxiety is typically a belief that something bad is going to happen. It may be very specific (like a fear of getting sick) or it may be a general sense of foreboding. At it's root, anxiety is often about self-doubt. You may believe that the bad thing will be unbearable and you won't be able to cope. Or it may feel like the anxiety is a horse running out of control, and you are along for the ride, trying to hold on and not fall off...
One common strategy to deal with this fear, is to avoid the anxiety-provoking situation. And this may be okay. I am afraid of snakes, for example. I stay away from them, and it works out just fine! But what if you cannot avoid something? What if you are tired of avoiding it? What it avoiding it has caused other problems in your life? Then it may be time to deal with it...
Maybe you have tried other strategies. Sometimes people develop rituals to ward off the bad thing. Or you may feel a strong compulsion to do something to prevent the bad thing (like checking). But sometimes the rituals get in the way of life. Then it may be time to find new, healthier rituals...
Some folks worry about the bad thing or things nonstop. It may be very hard to control the thoughts, or you may believe that the worry keeps the bad thing from happening. The problem is that worry is exhausting, and it requires so much energy that you may not have much left for anything else. It may time to teach your mind to slow down, to refocus and learn new problem-solving strategies...
The good news is that anxiety can be treated.
You can feel comfortable in your own skin.
You can feel healthier, happier, calmer and at peace.
You can stop worrying and start living!
But for some individuals, anxiety is a big problem. It can be miserable...
Anxiety has three components:
1. Mind (worry, obsessive thoughts, poor concentration, self-doubt, perfectionism, etc.)
2. Body (sweating, trembling, heart pounding, GI problems, muscle tension, headaches, etc.)
3. Emotion (fear, irritability, shame)
Anxiety is typically a belief that something bad is going to happen. It may be very specific (like a fear of getting sick) or it may be a general sense of foreboding. At it's root, anxiety is often about self-doubt. You may believe that the bad thing will be unbearable and you won't be able to cope. Or it may feel like the anxiety is a horse running out of control, and you are along for the ride, trying to hold on and not fall off...
One common strategy to deal with this fear, is to avoid the anxiety-provoking situation. And this may be okay. I am afraid of snakes, for example. I stay away from them, and it works out just fine! But what if you cannot avoid something? What if you are tired of avoiding it? What it avoiding it has caused other problems in your life? Then it may be time to deal with it...
Maybe you have tried other strategies. Sometimes people develop rituals to ward off the bad thing. Or you may feel a strong compulsion to do something to prevent the bad thing (like checking). But sometimes the rituals get in the way of life. Then it may be time to find new, healthier rituals...
Some folks worry about the bad thing or things nonstop. It may be very hard to control the thoughts, or you may believe that the worry keeps the bad thing from happening. The problem is that worry is exhausting, and it requires so much energy that you may not have much left for anything else. It may time to teach your mind to slow down, to refocus and learn new problem-solving strategies...
The good news is that anxiety can be treated.
You can feel comfortable in your own skin.
You can feel healthier, happier, calmer and at peace.
You can stop worrying and start living!