http://www.theinfofile.com/ Articles at The Info File.Com en-us http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/stress-and-anxiety-should-you-control-these-or-should-you-allow-it-to-control-you.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/stress-and-anxiety-should-you-control-these-or-should-you-allow-it-to-control-you.html Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:15:48 +0100
What does this suggest?

Not only do stress and anxiety force people to go through roller coaster emotional rides from time to time, these also affect their productivity, their capacity to function as normal individuals, their relationships with others and their relationships with themselves.

What Is Stress, What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety and stress, while being totally different conditions, can often overlap and manifest at the same time. Both of these are normal parts of everyone's daily lives and to some extent, helpful in allowing each of us to respond better to situations. But, once these exceed the levels tolerable by the person affected by these, these become destructive to the point of negatively affecting the physical and mental health of that person.

Stress is essentially a component of the fight-or-flight response of each person. It allows us to respond very effectively to certain situations that call for quick responses. In so many ways, stress helps us to be more productive, to keep us from danger, and to stay motivated.

However, too much stress is dangerous. An excessively strong response to stress is harmful not only to one's well-being but also to one's health. A number of psychological and medical conditions have been directly linked to constant exposure to stress.

Anxiety, in small, tolerable quantities, could be very helpful as well. But again, once the anxiety levels go overboard, physical and mental symptoms may manifest as a result of the effect of constant and excessive anxiety on the person's health. Anxiety occurs mostly in the mind of the patient, but as with stress, physical symptoms such as muscle twitching, trembling and tightening, headaches, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, and dry mouth may accompany it. Other physical symptoms of elevated levels of anxiety include difficulty breathing, irregular heart rate, irritability, diarrhea, loss of temper, sleeping difficulties, sexual problems, fatigue, and decreased concentration.

Combined, anxiety and stress could cause specific phobias, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

When stress and anxiety have gone too far...

It is normal to experience stress and anxiety from time to time. However, once these begin to take control of your life, and insanity for that matter, you must try to do something about it.

Start addressing your problem by making an inventory of the possible causes. This may be very difficult at first because in most cases, the root causes are unconscious.

What do you worry most about? Is there something that is constantly on your mind? Is there something that you fear will happen? Is there anything that makes you particularly depressed or sad? Are there thoughts that are adding to your anxiety?

Then find someone, a trusted friend, a family member, a social worker, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist to whom you could talk. Sometimes, all it takes for you to cure the stress and anxiety that have come over you are a few hours spent talking with someone and a few advices that could help you cope with these. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/overall-health-tips-use-humor-for-a-healthy-immune-system.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/overall-health-tips-use-humor-for-a-healthy-immune-system.html Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:14:02 +0100
Did you know laughing can be a great form of exercise ? This is no joke and in fact, the act of doing so not only strengthens our lungs, but also benefits our hearts at the same time.

Did you know that our heart rates as well as respiratory rates increase when we're laughing, really laughing. We take deeper breaths of air and there is a lot more oxygen flowing through the bloodstreams. Studies show that through these actions, we actually exercise our lungs as well as the muscles that surround our vital organs.

Although some form of stress is good for us, in high dosages it can have the negative effect on our health. When we suffer from long-term stress, our immune systems become weak and aren't able to protect our bodies from the different diseases such as cancer, diabetes etc.

So besides having a good laugh, what else can we do to ensure that we live long and healthy lives? The secret lies in our outlook on life and how we perceive things.

You can start changing your lifestyle by firstly taking things a little bit more easy. We need to stay healthy and in order to do so we need to be happy. Try not to perceive things as being so grim all the time, as circumstances are never as bad as you might think they are. Negativity is also a common trait in many people. How can you be happy if you perceive everything to be bad? Try adopting a positive mindset at all times, because when you're positive things just work out a lot better than if your negative all the time. This will also help to reduce the amount of stress that you place upon yourself as well as your immune system.

Laughing can be a great medicine but it is also the key to the fountain of youth. You will find that people who are happy all the time rarely age. Why is this so? Laughing promotes blood flow to your face and this in turn brings more oxygen to your cells. This will help to keep your skin rejuvenated and also help you to relax your facial muscles to avoid frown lines and wrinkles. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/tactics-to-beating-anxiety-linked-to-tests.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/tactics-to-beating-anxiety-linked-to-tests.html Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:57:34 +0100
Pausing for scheduled breaks from studying is equally as important as studying hard. You ought to plan on taking a break for a minimum of fifteen minutes for each 90 to 120 minutes of studying. Go for a rapid walk around the block, jog to the park and back or have a cup of tea as you chat with someone about a totally unrelated subject. You need to make certain that these breaks are active, because lying on the sofa or watching a little television do not rejuvenate you or clear your brain.

You also do not want to use substances that contain caffeine or substances that are known to pump you up, such as illegal drugs, because they are only going to make the situation worse for you once the initial effects wear off. You will benefit more from short breaks, adequate amounts of sleep, and working out, than you would from any drug.

Making use of guided imagery can be beneficial as well. Imagine meeting a future you who is simply taking the exam and see it in your mind's eye as occurring just the way that you would have it to be.

Picture a calm test-taking atmosphere, and you answering all the questions quickly and easily. After you think about this scenario, picture yourself next to your test-taking self.

Talk back and forth with your test-taking self and ask certain questions, like:

What did you do to prepare yourself for the test? Did you think you could do well? Were you positive toward the process? What tools did you use to prepare? Would you like to make any suggestions? Think about other questions you might want to know the answers to. After the question session, think about becoming that test-taking self and you are the one actually taking the test. Picture the situation progressing just as you want it to.

Now, prior to returning to the present point in time, instruct your future self to transfer all of the resources, attitudes and other benefits you need directly to you and absorb them. Now travel back in time to view all of the steps that you will take in preparing for the exam as you seek out your future self. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/how-to-stop-panic-attacks-now.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/how-to-stop-panic-attacks-now.html Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:57:26 +0100
Experiencing an immense feeling of fear in such a short space of time, can leave one feeling incredibly shaken up without a clue as to what has just happened.

Typical symptoms are dizziness, sweating, trembling, shaking with thoughts of impending doom and even fearing dying.

You may even feel as if you're dissociated from reality and can feel like you need to escape or run away. This can turn into a panic disorder if left untreated, where you constantly worry about your panic attacks re-occurring.

The reason you panic is because of an overload of stress and anxiety. It's an exaggerated version of the fight or flight response (which exists to keep you out of harm).

The good news is that if you're looking for a method on how to stop panic attacks, there are ways and means of achieving this regardless of your experiences.

Easy changes you can make for treating panic attacks

Following is a list of changes you can make today to begin regaining control over your life:

1) Regularly practice deep relaxation

2) Regularly exercise (do something you enjoy doing)

3) Eliminate stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and nicotine

4) Paying attention to your internal dialogue and focusing on using positive thoughts (negative thoughts create anxiety)

Stop panic for good using easy to follow tactics

There are more powerful psychological techniques that are just as easy to help you stop panic for good by deflating your perceived danger.

A simple technique you can use to do this is to tell yourself you only have 20 seconds, during which your panic has the opportunity to blow up into a full attack and do its worst. That's all it has, 20 seconds, after this time you'll just go back to doing what you were doing before you noticed the onset of the attack. This way you can begin to retain control. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/overcoming-panic-attacks-without-prescription-drugs.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/overcoming-panic-attacks-without-prescription-drugs.html Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:46:14 +0100
If you've asked for help from your doctor, you would most probably have been prescribed anti-depressants either as a tricylcic anti-depressant or a Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor (SSRI), both of which aim to reduce the panic symptoms.

The problem is that although medication can help, it's not in everyone's best interest and there are other ways for overcoming panic attacks that you can use wherever you are, techniques that are completely free of any medication whatsoever.

I'm sure you wonder why on earth you're suddenly suffering panic attacks. If you want to cure panic attacks, then it does help to understand what's causing them in the first place. Certain medical conditions can trigger a panic attack, including Hyperthyroidism and Hyperventilation syndrome, the symptoms of which can go on to cause a panic attack. Above all this though, the main cause of your panic, is your anxiety.

Eliminate Panic by Reducing Stress

If you reduce the anxiety, you are well on your way to treat panic attacks. If you're looking for changes you can make immediately, then here are some lifestyle changes that will begin to help:

1) If you're not exercising, choose something you enjoy doing and stick to a weekly routine.

2) Look to avoid any food items that stimulate the body and mind, such as sugar and caffeine.

3) Choose a time, say 8pm to lock yourself away in a room for just a few minutes, close your eyes and imagine you're on holiday somewhere (this helps you to practice relaxing everyday).

Change your perceptions and start your journey towards overcoming panic attacks naturally ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/how-to-make-stress-work-for-you.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/how-to-make-stress-work-for-you.html Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:09:24 +0100
There are a few things that you can do in order to stop yourself from worrying and from the stress from building up. .Things that you have no control over will certainly not make any sense worrying about. The first thing that you need to do is take advice and indulge in some therapeutic shopping

Do not let worrisome and troublesome thoughts strike you. If they do, then take yourself away from them. A change of scene will certainly help you great deal. What you need to do is to go shopping and buy yourself a wonderful handbag from the Prada replica handbags. The handbags that are on sale at Prada replica handbags collections are so very fabulous that they are bound to offer you a great deal of pleasure and joy.

Segregate the things that you can work on and are under your control . The things that are not under your control you will learn to let go off and not worry about them. Worrying about these things is going to be not worthwhile at all. On the other hand, things that you can control you can devise a plan for them. This will enable you to be able to make sure that you have a plan handy to be able to deal with them when the situation arises.

All of these things will help you to get the upper hand over stressful situations. This will allow you to be able to gain control over your reactions. You will also be able to deal with stress in a better manner. This will also work towards stress reduction and will ensure that you can reduce the impact of stress on your health. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/symptoms-of-anxiety-attacks.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/symptoms-of-anxiety-attacks.html Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:24:12 +0100
A panic attack comes on out of the blue, with a burst of fright and anxiety. Frequently, attacks happen without warning and without any obvious explanation. In some cases, panic attacks are a common daily problem while in other people they are more uncommon. If panic is a frequent issue, it may be due to a certain trigger. This trigger could be a place, person, situation, or just about anything. Panic attacks seldom cause lasting physical harm, but the emotional toll that they take on a victim can be harsh. Panic attacks could also result in panic disorder, a more distressing and difficult condition.

Who Suffers From Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks touch the lives of lots of people. It is thought that 10% of the total population is suffering from panic attacks, yet many are still undiagnosed or under-diagnosed. Many sufferers of panic attacks are young adults. Female are twice as prone to have an attack as male. Some scientists suggest that panic attacks run in family and may be genetic.

How do I know if I am having an attack?

If you are having a panic attack, there will be a number of signs. These signs may include raised heartbeat or palpitation, chest pain, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, stomach churning, upset stomach, trembling and shaking, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness and light-, hot or cold flashes, tingling sensation or numbness, fear of dying, going crazy or losing control and feeling detached from the surroundings.

Panic attack symptoms can mock the signs of a heart attack. The former is not dangerous, the latter can be deadly. It is best therefore to seek for emergency medical help, especially if the patient experiences it for the first time.

What cause an attack?

Many panic attacks occur without any clear reason; they just come out of the blue. However, attacks might be caused by past traumatic experiences like death of a loved one, family conflicts, bad relationships, divorce of parents, car accident, public humiliation, etc. Places and similar situations to former conflict may also cause a panic attack to come on.

Other causes of panic attacks include stress. From life events to traumatic working or living environment, all of these can be triggers. Genes and heredity may play a role in panic and anxiety.

If I'm Having A Panic Attack, What Do I Do?

Panic attacks peak from 5 to 10 minutes; it hardly ever lasts for greater than half an hour.If you are having a panic attack, you are probably experiencing some of the symptoms above. When you are having a panic attack, your heart rate increases. For this reason, controlled breathing is principal. You should be taking slow, deep breaths. Count to 3 while breathing in and count to 3 while exhaling.

Just breathe in this manner until you become calm. If you are able to stand, get up slowly and walk around. It is also helpful to breathe into a plastic or a paper bag. This enables you to re-breathe your carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide helps correct the blood acid level that had been disturbed by excessive breathing.

While you're doing your breathing exercises, free your thoughts of worrying things. Substitute your anxious thoughts with cheerful ones. Distraction can also help keep your mind off of the panic trigger. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/how-laughing-can-prevent-heart-problems.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/how-laughing-can-prevent-heart-problems.html Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:43:30 +0100
Laughter, aside from providing feel-good memories and outlook in life and a balanced psychological well-being, is a good exercise for the whole body, especially the heart and lungs. At first, laughter will increase your heartbeat and your respiratory and pulse rates, thus, stimulating the heart and the lungs to beat and breathe more. Apparently, these actions make the lungs and the heart stronger since other muscles surrounding the organs are being worked out and the lungs open up more, thereby allowing additional air to pass through it.

Further studies prove, too, that one's mental state directly affects a person's physical well-being. Whether the strain is real or perceived, living in stressful conditions and environment can bring about diseases and infections that happy individuals do not suffer from. Exposure to constant anxiety in the work place, family life, social life, and even the simple day-to-day situations such as commuting to and from work, traffic, long queues, and others, contribute to tense feelings that lowers the body's resistance to infections.

To combat these, individuals, especially those exposed to high-stress situations, are often encouraged to incorporate some laughter in their everyday lives. This is not to say that one has to laugh at all situations he is in, but rather, to make a conscious effort to see the positive out of every situation and not to take one's self too seriously.

In addition, laughter also helps relax one's facial muscles, thus, giving an individual a youthful look and disposition, and a pinkish glow as well. Most importantly, laughter is contagious. The more you laugh and smile, the more people laugh and smile, too, hence creating a light and stress-free environment for all. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/using-traditional-chinese-feng-shui-to-improve-your-productivity.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/using-traditional-chinese-feng-shui-to-improve-your-productivity.html Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:28:04 +0100
There are two different types of energies with regards to Chi. There is the positive as well as negative energy that flows through us and around us. The key to peace of mind and happiness is balance. When the energies go out of whack, we suffer the consequences and the side effects and come in the form of stress or unhappiness.

You can start using Feng Shui as well in your office environment to help you focus, relax and also relieve in work related stress.

Here are several quick tips for you to apply to your workplace surroundings, to achieve a positive aura immediately. It is easy to do and best of all it's free. You will find that by just changing a few small things on your desk, you can achieve huge overall changes in your mood as well as perhaps even your health.

Placing a small plant on your desk is a great way to energize your immediate workspace. Fresh flowers are also a lovely way to brighten up. Bamboo and money trees a top picks for Feng Shui. If you place a plant in a red pot of the East side of your desk, you will help to encourage good health and positive energy, whilst placing the pot towards the southeast will attract more wealth into your life.

Sometimes it can be hard to control the atmosphere around you when you share your workspace with your colleagues. This is particularly true in part workspaces and cubicle situations. High pressure work environments only make this worse. Listening to music can help you tune out, whenever you're having a bad day at work. The music will help you relax as well as alleviate the outside forces of negativity. Listening to calming music or repeated loops of sound clips through earphones can help you escape into your own little world. Choose tunes such as sounds of oceans, or wind chimes clinking with the gentle breeze. Some people even prefer to listen to gentle classical music, as this will help to stimulate the mind as well as drown out unwanted influences.

You can create a sense of ambience as well if you have your own office space that is enclosed. Scented candles can be an excellent addition, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for you to work in. Just remember to never leave the candle burning unattended and keep it away from paper as well as other flammable objects.

A better alternative that will create the same effect, is to use an electric oil burner with your choice of scent. Scents such as lavender are a great pick me up, and so is Neroli or any orange/lemon scented oils. The Neroli can be wonderful for calming a tired mind and is ideal for repelling negativity as well as burning out of the brain. Hopefully, these Feng Shui will be useful to you in creating the ultimate and most relaxing workplace environment. ]]> http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/if-you-want-to-reduce-stress-try-massage-therapy.html http://www.theinfofile.com/health/stress/if-you-want-to-reduce-stress-try-massage-therapy.html Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:35:33 +0100
The massage, however leaves a person feeling even more relaxed and not emotionally drained. So, the rewards of massage treatment may perhaps SEEM to only be physical, but in reality, they extend to the mind as well.

An obvious advantage of massage treatments is that it will help alleviate pressure. It happens to everyone, this terrible problem called pressure, but it doesn't really need to stay in one's entire body and continue to keep polluting it with toxins.

For instance, why must you allow a nosy mother in law or new co-worker, who believes he is sent from Heaven and knows every little thing, to ruin their day? Just because the mother in law may make it her business to critique almost everything from last night's taco salad to the manners being instilled in her grandchildren, will not mean one would need to see a psychotherapist. Just make an appointment with the local masseuse and in fifteen minutes, it is going to be as though it by no means happened.

An additional advantage of massage treatment is the fact that it not only works on tight muscles and helps make them looser, it helps alleviate discomfort. For your unfortunate driver who was rear ended by a fully loaded city garbage truck, that's exceptional news.

This therapy could become a way to avoid a costly surgery on a torn rotator cuff or a chiropractic adjustment for a back injury, although allowing a little bit of pampering along the way. These therapies are actually successful in returning some lost mobility of joints and in some cases they have returned all of the previous mobility of the individuals joints.

Athletes like to use massage therapies to ready their bodies for the games they're about to play. By doing this, they stimulate the blood circulation in their bodies and get oxygen and adrenaline to their different body parts. They also use massage therapies if they become injured at some stage in the game.

This could support their bodies as well as the injury relax long enough for them to finish the game or enable a doctor access to the injured site without creating far more pain to the player. Win or lose, when the game is finished, a massage usually is welcomed to ease away the aches and pains of the game and to restore the normal blood flow throughout the body ]]>