There's hope! Learn how to stop panic attacks and anxiety attacks.
Anxiety and Mental Help Tips
There Is Always Hope For Anxiety
03 days ago
Anxiety can be a life-altering occurrence. It can happen without our knowledge and can change a life forever. That is not to say the changes are for the worse. If we are aware, early on, that we are experiencing stress and dealing with anxiety then we have a great opportunity to promote positive behavior. This positive behavior can then dominate our lives.
There are varying effects anxiety has on the human body, mind and spirit.
Anxiety can often times be a silent killer. Stress and anxiety go hand in hand and both promote heart problems, respiratory problems and can cause us to age more rapidly than if we were to have a healthier, slower paced lifestyle.
Yoga, deep tissue massages, and even routine exercising can be beneficial in reducing anxiety. All it takes is a phone call, a minute of searching the Internet, or even a chat with your physician or pastor to begin the process of healing. Once you have discovered on your own or been diagnosed by a physician that anxiety is the culprit for what ails you, the healing process is as difficult as you want it to be.
Being in denial about anxiety is a step in the wrong direction. When you discover you have symptoms of an illness (serious or otherwise) and all physical elements are ruled out you must look long and hard at how you are living. There is part of us that most are not even aware of until our health plummets and we are forced to look more closely at how we live.
Most of us can fully benefit by slowing everything down and easing up on what we cram into one day. Sometimes it is as if we have to fill each moment of everyday to the bursting point in order to feel as if we have accomplished something. Stepping back and doing nothing is a challenge. And it is challenge well worth the effort and one we must take into serious consideration.
Slowing down is the first step to forcing out the anxiety that is easily accessible to all of us as humans. Forming a plan of attack on the urges and pitfalls that lead us further into the darkness of anxiety is essential. The war against anxiety begins with the acknowledgement that it exists. When you replace stressful, anxious behavior with positive, relaxed behavior you have the beginnings of a beautiful life.
General information on separation anxiety
01 week ago
It is natural for human beings to dislike the notion of being separated from someone they care about, or feel connected to in some way. The idea of no longer having significant contact, particularly physical contact, with someone that has become a “part of our life,” as some might say, often results in some unpleasant emotional reactions.
This negative emotional response prompts us to attempt to avoid such thoughts and possibilities whenever we can, as a means of preventing or escaping the associated discomfort. However, for some people, the idea of losing someone they care about takes on the form of a near-constant obsession. This condition, known as separation anxiety, is a complex psychological matter.
People who have separation anxiety still feel the usual dislike and discomfort when considering the potential loss. There is still a general sense of sorrow and bereavement when the possibility is brought up, and it is still considered to be a negative event. However, separation anxiety has patients virtually obsessing over that distinct and unpleasant facet of life.
The condition is characterized by behavior that may or may not be considered odd by the untrained observer. It often includes constant worry and anxiety over the possibility of losing an important person, typically a mother or father figure. Some argue that separation anxiety is a sign of excessive dependence on the physical presence of an individual, as a means of reassuring the patient of their own stability. Emotional distress during a period of separation is the most common sign, with a sudden lifting of the patient’s mood once the object of their focus is once again nearby. Another common sign is the patient showing more physical cues that are similar to withdrawal from narcotics or alcohol whenever the target is not present.
People suffering from separation anxiety have a tendency to turn inwards when separated, letting the disorder have an adverse effect on their emotional condition. Cases have been reported where patients exhibit sudden signs of partial social withdrawal, or a sudden drop in one’s ability to interact socially during the separation period. In some instances, it may also have a physical effect, with movements being sluggish and the body having languid, lifeless movements. It is not only during periods of separation that symptoms are exhibited, however. According to recent findings, separation anxiety also manifests itself as an inability to sleep without the presence of the target person or object.
A patient that has separation anxiety is often also diagnosed with various other disorders, such as ADHD and bipolar disorder. Bipolar personalities have been shown to have a statistically high number of patients who also have separation anxiety, with the shifts between manic and depressive behavior being linked to the presence of a certain figure or object.
In rare cases, dissociative identity disorder also stems from separation anxiety. This occurs when the brain gradually develops alternate personalities that are more capable of handling the separation than the actual persona. This is a rare instance, however, as DID sufferers generally develop the second personality to adapt to a specific childhood trauma, such as sexual abuse.
According to some unconfirmed reports, there is a small percentage of stalkers who have separation anxiety. Supposedly, this occurs because the obsession with keeping the person close by has started to form a compulsion to prevent any form of prolonged separation. In essence, the person has become obsessed with staying close to an individual whenever possible, and has taken measures to minimize, if not outright eliminate, the chances of the two being disconnected.
High anxiety in real life
02 weeks ago
Living an ordinary life is not easy. Each and everyday, a person goes through bad situations and experience difficulties in different aspects of daily life, be it personal, social, work, or even in light situations such as recreation. External activities or events taking place everyday can cause a person to feel bad, have problems, and experience high anxiety. Feeling scared? awkward? uneasy? restless? or just plain bad? These are caused by encounters from negative reactions acquired by the person or through outside experiences. Fortunately, not all people are subject to high anxiety.
In recent studies, it has been determined that medically sound manipulations of the brain organ called “Amygdala” somehow showed some influence or control over anxiety levels. The amygdala are almond-shaped neurons located inside the medial temporal lobes. This brain organ is active in important human cognitive and emotional functions such as emotional learning, memory modulation, and other neuro-psychological activities.
High anxiety can affect anybody anywhere, anytime but there are some people who are more predisposed to this psychological and emotional distress. For example, in NBA today, Commissioner David Stern was questioned and had a conference regarding a certain NBA referee named Tim Donaghy who supposedly was betting on NBA games. Claims have been made regarding the alleged involvement of Stern and Donaghy in game-fixing. During the said conference, in front of dozens of reporters, Stern tried hard to maintain proper composure while answering questions fielded by the media. Surely, he was trying to mask the anxiety he felt. It is also most likely that a majority of the basketball referees were feeling fear and anxiety about what might happen should the game-fixing controversy escalates.
In that situation, it can be show that these two emotions can occur at the same time or in conjunction when a person is faced with a very serious situation or problem. There are moments when the problem or tension gets so high that a person experiencing fear and anxiety may resort to acts of hostility or hysteria.
In reading all this, one has to ask, “Is there any way to avoid fear and anxiety?”
Well, it depends on the person. By not being bothered by the outside opinion, by being strong and true to oneself, knowing that you can stand on your own, that the person can avoid fear and anxiety. Perhaps, self-confidence is the key to maintain peace of mind and a sense of control over one’s life.
Being calm and collected helps a person to approach a problem or difficult situation with psychological and emotional stability. That way, undertaking a difficult task or facing a problem becomes a challenge, and not a paralyzing burden.
However, it is important to note that there are situations that call for more responses other that having a self-confidence boost. People with psychological disorders or serious emotional problems may need the help of doctors and other health professionals so that they can deal with stressful situations and other matters that bother them. Medications may be prescribed to control the symptoms of their severe emotional distress. Anti-stress medication, together with counseling and therapy, can do miracles for people who have long suffered from fears and worries that prevent them from living a good, satisfying life.
Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks
03 weeks ago
Anyone who has ever experienced anxiety attacks can attest that the condition can be very debilitating. Shortness of breath, palpitations, numbness, nausea, and the feeling of being trapped are all part and parcel of having an anxiety attack. Fortunately, there are ways of preventing an attack, foremost of which is identifying its cause.
What causes an anxiety attack?
An anxiety attack can be triggered by a number of reasons including illness, social events, or even memories of past situations. It is very important to know which situations trigger your attacks so you can take precautions to make them more manageable. For example, if going to social events like corporate parties triggers an attack, bring a friend with you to help you feel comfortable about the situation. Most importantly, consult your doctor for medications or therapies that can help minimize your anxiety.
Preventing an anxiety attack
There are several methods you can use or activities you can do to minimize your attacks or prevent them from happening like the following:
- Changing your diet
People who have switched to a more vegetable-dense or whole grain-based diet reportedly feel better than those who consume red meat. Scientific research shows that aside from keeping the body healthy, vegetables and whole grains release endorphins and other feel-good hormones in the body that promote a sense of well-being. On the other hand, people who eat red meat have been found to have a lot of stress-inducing hormones in their bodies that can trigger an attack.
- Avoiding caffeine-rich and alcoholic substances
Caffeine and alcohol can increase chances of attacks as well as certain drugs. Instead of taking coffee or alcoholic beverages for a quick pick-me-up, try substituting them with fresh fruit juice. Juices are healthy options that can give you a quick energy boost like caffeine without the danger of triggering an attack.
- Exercising regularly
Exercise and physical activity triggers the release of endorphins in the body which promotes a feeling of happiness. Aside from this benefit, exercise, particularly cardiovascular activities, also prevents attacks by providing an outlet for the release of stress and anxiety. Cardiovascular exercises also strengthen the heart and body so it can withstand attacks easily with minimal symptoms.
- Practicing relaxation methods
Certain activities like meditation, aromatherapy, and massages can reduce anxiety and stress levels in the body. They can also help you focus on good sensations and feelings that can improve your sense of well-being. You can try carrying relaxing aromatherapy oils like lavender and chamomile for a calming sniff when you feel an attack coming. Listening to soothing music, reading inspirational books, or drinking herbal teas can also soothe your frazzled nerves.
Although these prevention tips can help you ward of an anxiety attack, nothing beats talking to your doctor. A health professional specializing in anxiety disorders can help you understand your condition and provide you with treatment therapy. Along with the prescribed medication, you can also ask your doctor about group therapy for anxiety disorders.
Of Mosquitoes and Anxiety
01 month ago
You’re itching for that one shot of a lifetime – that rare opportunity to have that first step to fame’s elusive ladder. Believing that you’re more prepared than ever, you gave it all you’ve got. The sad thing is, nothing came out of your first “outing” at the theater.
People occasionally get bitten by the performance anxiety bug. Yep, that ever-meddling “bug” that bites you no matter how prepared you are. It manages to seep into your system, bringing chaos and unbelievable panic. And you are left with nothing but sighs of disappointment. But there’s hope. Whether you will be playing Romeo in a Shakespearean-inspired play, belting your guts out in a singing competition, or reading a self-made poem in front of your classroom peers – there are practical ways to get rid of that performance anxiety. It’s as simple as swatting your regular mosquitoes. Wanna know how? Read on…
Change your defective mosquito mats called “skepticism.” As long as you’re using worn out and dilapidated nets… no matter how you cower inside to protect your body you will end up getting bitten by those “mental mosquitoes.” It’s very fascinating to know that these bugs manage to creep in our “supposed” safe nightly abodes. Are they trained by A-1 pilots who do fancy flight maneuvers just for fun?
In this light, no matter how much you prepare for that performance, if you don’t dispel inherent confusions and fright episodes, you would just end up committing the same blunder. However, a handful of performers still believe for the need of a little amount of “nerves” or stage fright. Accordingly, this gives them a better boost in their acting performance.
To counter stage fright, psychologists encourage people to visualize positive scenarios to help them take control of their bodily reactions. Seeing yourself in control and composed, as they say, is the best way to give that performance anxiety bug a little whacking.
When outdoors, bring reasonable amounts of “reality” lotion. Coping with anxiety is not always the same as denying its ever-pestering presence. Psychologists even advice people to put their fear into words like what other performers do in some of their concerts. This is a tricky thing to do because your words, or spiels, may go out of hand. The trick is to ferret out those fears as naturally and comically as possible. The performer and the audience sure can use a little laughter and a breath of fresh air even in the middle of the show.
Stay away from its lair. One of your fears is actually the fear that something will trigger your fears, right? What you can do is to avoid places and people that elicit those worries and apprehensions. Coping with anxiety is not an easy task and it may involve changing your daily routines and activities. In short, steer clear of things that might trigger fear.
Give yourself a pat on the back. Like pesky mosquitoes, reality dictates that there’s no sure fire formula to overcoming performance anxiety. All your efforts to control your worries and apprehensions must be evaluated. Constantly checking on your progress actually boosts your sense of self-control and mastery over your fears. Coping up with anxiety, specifically performance anxiety, is a life skill. To get ahead in your career, whether it be in show business or in corporate world, taking a hold of one’s fears is the first step to success.
Trouble Spotting the Symptoms of Anxiety
01 month ago
Anxiety is a widely recognized problem, with millions suffering from the potentially debilitating condition every year. There are millions more that are becoming victims to this problem. The situation has gotten to the point where modern medicine has come to recognize it as being among the most widespread mental health conditions in the world, ranked roughly alongside problems such as depression and stress. This particular problem is something that most people are aware of, but there is a problem. As with any other condition that becomes a major concern, there are a lot of people that know about it, but there are not a whole lot that fully understand the range of the symptoms of anxiety.
The symptoms of anxiety can range from being mild and innocuous, to severe and debilitating. Most people simply associate anxiety with fear and nervousness. While both are aspects of the problem, they are not the only details that can show that someone is experiencing or suffering from the condition. The sad reality is the average Joe fails to realize that anxiety can also manifest physical symptoms and that these symptoms are frighteningly easy to ignore, especially for the casual observer. The symptoms of anxiety, physical or otherwise, that are obvious are usually the type that manifest only once the problem is a major concern and not during the early stages, where anxiety is easiest to treat.
The major physical symptoms of anxiety include can include something relatively innocent, such as blushing or flushing of the face. This ties in with the emotional games that the condition can play on a person, though an increased heart rate and mild palpitations are also possible. Some people have reported a fierce choking sensation during anxiety attacks, while others reported dizziness, mild nausea, and feeling as if they were about to faint. These signs are all extant in anxiety, but most people are likely to disregard these signs as natural components of being scared or nervous, thus causing them to be ignored until it is too late.
Feelings of fear and nervousness are amplified and worsened by anxiety. For some, the problem presents itself as a constant that needs to continually be fought. In most cases, though, the problem is firmly rooted in the specific situations that the victim finds himself in. Occasions that cause fear or nervousness, along with the usual signs, can be magnified to a higher level by the condition, making it nearly impossible to discern the symptoms of anxiety from the usual ways a person reacts to fear. An increase in the usual levels of a person’s self-awareness is also fairly common for people who suffer from anxiety, such that they might seem overly self-conscious to the casual observer.
Much like depression, anxiety is one of those problems that often ends up being ignored or overlooked. The fact is that most people find it difficult to discern between natural reaction to fear and the level that is caused by anxiety. In truth, most experts also find it difficult to discern between the two without some sort of formal, structured test designed to detect the subtle nuances between the two.
Dealing with social anxiety
02 months ago
A speech in front of a hundred people…. but an audience of millions watching on national television. Sounds scary right? Absolutely. It is not an exaggeration to say that there are so many people who are totally terrified of standing in front of a crowd.
Being shy is a normal human reaction to meeting new people or standing before a crowd of total strangers. But there are those who are extremely shy that being in a social activity, group event, or a simple party is a no-no. Even just being around people and the thought of being watched by other people gives them butterflies!
According to the Social Anxiety Association, people with this disorder are often misdiagnosed as having a condition called schizophrenia. Others think that extremely shy people are suffering from manic depression or some other personality disorder. But people with Social Anxiety Disorder have a much more serious condition that just having the feeling of having flying insects inside the gut.
Ordinary people experience shyness and some can actually fight off their instinct to clam up and shut up. Others have it better like extroverts who thrive on social interaction. But for people afflicted with serious social anxiety are often misunderstood, ridiculed, and resented by other so-called normal people. Genetics, social and cultural influences, and psychological factors also contribute to social anxiety.
By knowing that a person has this type of anxiety disorder, or any other anxiety attacks for that matter, the immediate solution is often to ask for a doctor to prescribe anti-anxiety medication. People dealing with social disorders can resort to the use of prescription drugs, coupled with counseling sessions. Anxiety medication is most effective when it is followed by one-on-one discussions with a therapist who could provide valuable information and tips to manage the symptoms of the disorder.
To recover from their problems, people with anxiety disorders need to gradually open up through therapy, consultations, or group psychotherapy treatments. All these will help out in dealing with their status, to start being open to other people. Eventually, patients in therapy would learn how to manage their feelings. Exposing them to proper group discussions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other effective anxiety medications can help them cure themselves without the use of drugs. Being socially inactive is really based on your personality and how a person sees himself in a positive manner. Anti-anxiety medications, however, must be taken only with the advice and approval of a doctor. The unregulated use of these medications may lead to serious side effects.
Each of us is unique. Being afflicted with social anxiety disorder is not the end of one’s life…there is hope. Confidence, self-esteem, and good old-fashioned guts will help people with social anxiety go out of their shell of extreme shyness and insecurity. By taking steps to get healing and help, even the most socially-averse individuals can get treatment that is necessary to restore their lives and allow them to pursue fulfillment in their everyday relationships with people.
How Anxiety And Depression Are Connected
02 months ago
Depression is a disorder that does not get nearly enough attention. Depressed people are often told to “cheer up” or to “look at the bright side” of things, and may spiral even deeper when they are unable to simply snap out of the mood that has such a hold on them. While depression can often lead to fatigue and listlessness, it has a close cousin by the name of anxiety. Anxiety causes the opposite effect, putting our bodies into the “fight or flight” mode that protected us in the wild.
Anxiety attacks can feel like heart attacks, and even at more moderate levels, anxiety can have a dangerous and very negative effect on our lives and on our quality of living. Anxiety can also lead into depression, when a sense of worry and fear for the future leads into the sense of helplessness and hopelessness. That is a classic symptom of depression. Depression and anxiety are often seen together, and can sometimes lead into one another.
Anxiety is a way of describing a certain way of feeling. It may represent a sense of fear, dread, or a sense that you are in immediate danger, even when you are safe and have no reason to feel this way. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders, including phobias or irrational fears, situational anxiety, panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders among others.
These disorders can lead to a state of almost constant high stress, and can affect your daily life much to the worse. You may be unable to function in certain situations, or you may come to fear leaving your own home, and if untreated, the symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to many of the same problems as depression, including insomnia or a reluctance or fear to leave the house or to be around other people.
Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety symptoms can also feel like heart attacks, with palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains, and more. You might begin trembling and shaking, your mouth might go dry, and you might become dizzy from the stress of the situation. The body becomes “hyped up” by your reaction to the situation, and your senses go into a sort of overdrive that is unlike the depression of the system that happens when you suffer from clinical depression.
Depression disorder actually slows the body in some ways, making you feel sluggish rather than ready to run or fight, and hopeless rather than actively panicked or fearful. If you have been suffering from anxiety attacks, the attacks themselves may lead into depression because of the hopelessness that you feel at the hands of the attacks and because of the fears that are associated with possibly having another attack.
If your anxiety symptoms have changed to include listlessness, a disinterest in things that used to engage you, or feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing, then you may now be suffering from depression disorder, and should be treated accordingly for your medical condition.
Depression is not a constant state of being, nor is anxiety. You might think that because you have a good number of “good days” that your depressive days are just bad moments that will pass, however depression can become worse over time if it is not treated and taken care of, and can lead to suicide if left untreated long enough.
Anxiety and Depression Treatments
Anxiety can worsen over time as well if it is not handled properly. There are ways to help with anxiety even without medication. Therapies are different depending on the type of anxiety that affects you and on the level of anxiety that you suffer. For a phobia, you might be exposed at increasing levels to the thing that you are afraid of. Other therapies might require talking your problems out, and others might just provide techniques to help you ride out your panic attacks and get on with life without letting them affect you more than necessary.
Depression treatments are also varied, mostly depending on your own personal preference. Medication can provide you with an effective way of dealing with depression; however medication is not for everyone. If you are not interested in medication, then you might consider other kinds of therapies with a psychologist who has experience working with depression.
Depression and anxiety are related disorders that can have a huge impact on your overall health and quality of life if left untreated. However, both are manageable conditions that do not have to have an effect on your daily life.
When Anxiety Becomes A Disorder
02 months ago
It is absolutely normal to be anxious. When faced with a problem or a situation, we experience anxiety. We tend to worry when we are trying to finish a deadline that seems impossible to beat. We cram during final exams.
Just like other emotions, such as fear, anger, sadness or happiness, anxiety is a normal reaction that helps a person cope and deal with present situation. It is common and plays a significant role in relation to a person’s ability to adapt and survive.
However, when anxiety gets out of hand and leads to an unreasonable fear or worry of daily activities, it has become a disorder.
There are several types of emotional and psychological problems, as shown below:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by a person’s exaggerated view of a certain situation that elicits irrational anxiety or unnecessary worry which becomes alarmingly habitual. A mother who overly anticipates financial and health problems of the family may become a nervous wreck. Or an employee who is extremely concerned about difficulties at work.
Panic Disorder is describe as a sudden strike of terror associated with rapid heart beats, sweating, weakening, fainting, or dizziness. A person with panic attack experience a feeling of impending disaster and loss of control. Panic attacks may occur at any given time, even while asleep. It usually lasts for ten minutes, though there are some cases that it takes longer before a person comes back to reality. Not everyone who experience panic attacks may develop panic disorder.
Social Anxiety Disorder, also called social phobia, is a condition when people become overly self-conscious in everyday social situations that leads to intense anxiety. There is an unreal fear of being watched and judged by others and of doing things that will embarrass them. It becomes chronic and persistent, lasting for days or weeks before a dreaded situation. This fear may become so severe that it interferes with work, school, and other ordinary activities, and can make it hard to make and keep friends.
According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America , “Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), or social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of being scrutinized and negatively evaluated by others in social or performance situations. Some people with SAD literally feel ‘sick from fear’ in seemingly non-threatening situations, such as ordering food in a restaurant, signing one’s name in public or making a phone call. Though they recognize that the fear is excessive and unreasonable, people with SAD feel powerless against their anxiety. They are terrified they will act in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating. The anxiety can interfere significantly with daily routines, occupational performance or social life. It can make it difficult to complete school, interview and obtain jobs and create and maintain friendships and romantic partnerships.”
In some situations, a person’s Social Anxiety Disorder may be evident only in a particular social activity like making a phone call, talking to clients or giving a speech, but the person can be totally at ease in other social events. In these cases, SAD is selective. On the other hand, a more generalized form of SAD is experiencing anxiety attacks in a variety of routine activities where one’s actions or behavior may be scrutinized such as business meetings, class activities, talking to strangers or attending parties.
Phobia is an unreasonable and intense fear of something that brings about little or no real threat and danger. Most common specific phobias are focused on the fear of high places, closed-in spaces, water, flying, dogs, snakes and injuries involving blood. These are not just excessive fear but extremely irrational fear of a particular thing. Most adult patients realize that these fears are unreasonable but discovers that dealing with feared object or situation brings on a dreaded anxiety attack.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is unrelenting and is characteized by disquieting thoughts (obsessions) and the of use rituals (compulsions). People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have persistent, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and use rituals (compulsions) to control the anxiety these thoughts produce. Most of the time, the rituals end up controlling them.
Normal healthy people also have rituals, such as checking to see if the stove is off several times before leaving the house. The only difference is that people with OCD tend to overdo their rituals to the point that it obstructs with their daily life and they find the routine agonizing. Some would recognize that what they are doing is senseless, but most people, especially kids, may not realize that their behavior is out of the ordinary.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a tragic event happens involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The harm could have happened to the person PTSD or to a loved one, or the person is a witness to a tragic scene that happened to loved ones or strangers.
PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are generally treated with medication or specific types of psychotherapy, or both. Treatment depends on the severity of the case and the person’s preference. Be sure that a doctor is consulted to evaluate the cause of anxiety disorder before treatment begins. Sometimes alcoholism, depression, or other coexisting conditions have such a strong effect on the individual that treating the anxiety disorder must wait until the coexisting conditions are brought under control.
SWEATING OUT STRESS & RUBBING AWAY ANXIETY
02 months ago
Stress and anxiety are among the two most common sources of work-weariness and complaint among urbanites, corporate executives, and other people who go each day to “fight” in the concrete jungles. Endless streams of tasks and unbeatable deadlines seem to push people near to the brink of resignation, if not from the job itself, but from the ability to meet the various expectations heaped upon them in the office. Aside from having the beat the early morning traffic and going off to work sans breakfast, the sheer competition in climbing up the corporate ladder have gotten into the minds of not a few “men in ties” and “women in heels.” No wonder, the 21st Century rat rate itself has spawned a new and thriving industries — the spa and the anti-anxiety medication businesses.
Having anxiety panic attacks will not exactly boost the corporate image of an up-and-coming, hardworking junior executive. Those who can hardly survive “in the kitchen” due to the intense office “heat” may opt to go to a doctor to get a prescription. But what they need to take every morning may not be the all-too-common multivitamin and minerals in capsule form. The visit to the doctor was prompted by the need to take specially made drugs to calm the nerves. The use of anti-anxiety drugs is now fast becoming a common procedure among busy executives who want to remain in control of their emotions as well as their careers.
Another hip and trendy way to beat corporate pressure is by going to a spa. For an hour or two, a hassled “business warrior” can go in to have spend time to break a sweat inside a sauna. Inside the wooden room with just enough heat to cause you to sweat out your body’s toxins, a tired executive can sit there for up to 45 minutes wearing nothing but a fresh towel. In between, sips of water needed to avoid dehydration, a spa enthusiast can take comfort that he is sweating away all the unhealthy elements of what he ate during that “power lunch” with the department head or the unwanted calories consumed during the company sales victory party. After perspiring away and feeling a bit lighter, the executive can then proceed to a discreet, aromatic room where his very own masseur waits with skillful hands. The all-too-willing subject of the massage can choose from a variety of techniques: Thai, Japanese, Swedish, Acupressure, Reflexology and even Shiamen-Style Foot Massage. All these massage styles offer soothing pleasures to the mind and body. Each therapuetic rub and stroke is made to specifically un-tie the “knots” and “bumps” from head to toe.
Indeed, stress and anxiety are looked at by career-driven individuals not only as mere emotional and physical distress. These are now the “enemies” and “obstacles” that could make or break a person’s climb to the top. The climb, or more appropriately, the race up the career highway has left many otherwise talented and skilled professionals lost, burned out, and out of the game.
Much like financial capital, equipment, technology and facilities — people are now also looked at as highly valuable factors of production. In fact, it is the troop of professionals and workers who actually make a business run, and not just the CEO or company president. For this reason, many corporations are now investing more and more in the health and well-being of their people. By pouring in more dollars to take care of their most valuable assets, companies are able to minimize employee burnout, sick leaves, and executive turnovers.
A major intervention or program that is present in almost every company is called stress management, technique or series of activities designed to help a person cope with the daily struggles and pressures of work. Specifically, stress management may involve one or all of the following scientifically-based procedures and techniques:
? Autogenic Therapy
? Cognitive Therapy
? Exercise
? Meditation
? Progressive Relaxation
? Use of Stress Balls
In fact, even engaging in sexual activities is considered a stress buster — a procedure that certainly beats going to a psychiatrist or stress therapist.
Regardless of the technique or method, beating stress will continue to be an additional survival skill that every executive or worker must learn in order to continue and succeed at work. It is not just a matter of “getting rid of the blues” or releasing tension and anger. Dealing with work-related anxieties is necessary to maintain one’s health as well to keep one competent and calm in facing the daily battles in the workplace.
