How to Overcome Anxiousness

Angie Briggs

 

 

 

Overcome Anxiousness

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to many situations. Anxiety is your body's way of alerting you that something is wrong. If someone were to come across a bear, it would be normal to feel anxious. Your body needs that feeling to trigger its "fight or flight" response, which causes many bodily changes in order to flee from the danger. For some people anxiety can become persistent, even when there is no danger. There are different types of anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, and obsessive compulsive disorder. See a doctor if anxiousness becomes persistent to rule out underlying causes.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

1. • 1
     Practice a relaxation technique. Some examples include yoga, abdominal breathing, and guided imagery. Practicing relaxation techniques on a regular basis can lessen or even prevent anxiousness.
   • 2
     Exercise on a regular basis. Exercise reduces skeletal-muscle tension, which is responsible for feelings of tension. Exercise also metabolizes adrenaline and thyroxin faster, which causes feelings of vigilance and arousal.
   • 3
     Avoid caffeine and nicotine. Caffeine can keep you tense and jittery, which can bring on or worsen feelings of anxiousness. Nicotine is a strong stimulant like caffeine and causes vasoconstriction, which makes the heart work harder.
   • 4
     Take supplements with calcium, vitamin B and vitamin C. Calcium has a calming effect on the nervous system. Vitamin B and C are rapidly depleted by your body during times of stress. Vitamin C helps energy levels and vitamin B help the function of the nervous system.
   • 5
     Take medication that is prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist as directed. Medication can be an important tool in a person's process to overcome anxiety. Medication is not a cure, but it can lessen symptoms of anxiety while you work on coping techniques.

References

• The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook; Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D.; 2005