What is anxiety?

Anxiety appears to be more common in our society than ever before. The causes of anxiety can sometimes be difficult to pin down. The truth is that sometimes our perspective can make us anxious – even when everything seems to be okay, we may feel tense or anxious no matter how hard we try not to. This may pass after a short time, or it may persist.

When confronted with danger, threat or fear, anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences. It is a protective mechanism we have to protect ourselves from the danger or threat. This is all very well when we are actually under REAL danger or threat. However, for many people, they perceive everyday situations as being potentially dangerous or threatening, when it is not warranted, and therefore, experience very high levels of anxiety.

Over time, these high levels of anxiety can lead to the development of an Anxiety Disorder, panic attacks, phobias, and many other conditions such as depression, physical health problems, eating disorders, drug and alcohol dependency and sometimes suicide.

Symptoms of Anxiety include:

• trembling
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• feelings of claustrophobia
• feeling of impending doom
• shortness of breath
• insomnia
• ulcer or colitis attacks
• irritability
• high blood pressure
• headaches
• neck aches
• loss of appetite

Anxiety tends to leave the one feeling quite fatigued.

Anxiety has a basis in physical malfunction in brain chemistry, where the brain sends and receives false emergency signals. Adrenaline and noradrenalin are then released, causing the same physiological changes in the body as would be experienced in a true ‘danger’ situation (e.g. being chased by the tiger scenario). This can often be caused by the blood sugar being imbalanced (see hypoglycemia), food sensitivity, allergy or poor nutrition.

Anxiety levels can differ from person to person, therefore, on the road to recovery, different people may require different treatments. Some may gain benefits from professional guidance or holistic recovery programs alone, while others may require a combination of both professional guidance and medication. Medication does not cure the cause of anxiety, it will only assist to decrease the anxiety symptoms while you are taking the medication. It is always recommended therefore that if you are taking medication to also engage in some other therapies that will change the way you look at things - i.e. your fear based perception.

Treatments to reduce the causes of anxiety include: L-Tyrosine, an amino acid.

When overcoming high levels of anxiety, it is important to learn the techniques of relaxation and correct breathing. It is impossible to feel relaxed and tense at the same time. People who live with high levels of anxiety often do not know how to relax or to release the tension stored in their muscles that contribute to the experience of anxiety. One needs to learn to choose relaxation and relax. In addition, many people who live with high levels of anxiety are known to breathe through their chest. Shallow breathing through the chest means you are disrupting the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide necessary to be in a relaxed state. This type of breathing will perpetuate the symptoms of anxiety. To overcome high levels of anxiety, phobias, or panic attacks it is of paramount importance to learn how to relax and breathe correctly!

Let's talk about you! An anxiety disorder can stem from a fear of negative evaluation, a fear that someone will think or talk badly of you. If you have low self esteem, this fear will be perpetuated. It is of paramount importance to develop a sense of self worth, to love yourself, and acknowledge the many important aspects and qualities you have. Then you will not worry so much about what others think of you!! You will have your own evaluation...Everyone has wonderful special qualities that are unique to them. It is important to recognize and nurture them. There are many ways to develop a sense of self worth and self esteem. You can read books on self development, do courses on self esteem, talk to a therapist, treat yourself kindly, acknowledge your accomplishments and special qualities, as well as becoming aware of what is important to you.

Lifestyle therapy to reduce the causes of anxiety:

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol. They deplete the body's supply of B vitamins. Caffeine stimulates an adrenal response in the body which may provoke an anxiety or nervous response.
  Avoid nicotine. Nicotine stimulates increased physiological arousal, vasoconstriction and makes your heart work harder.
  

• Avoid foods with aspartame, nitrate-preserved meats and foods, MSG (it can have a major irritating effect on the nervous system producing the following: headaches, tingling, numbness and chest pains), fried foods and sodas.




• Avoid sugar. Avoid all sweet refined foods as these affect the blood sugar that can lead to anxiety and mood swings and also affects how the brain functions.
  
• Avoid salt. Salt depletes the body of potassium, a mineral important to the proper functioning of the nervous system. Salt raises blood pressure that in turn puts a strain on the heart.
  
• Beware of prescription drugs that contain caffeine and amphetamines, and recreational drugs such as cocaine that increase levels of anxiety and panic attacks in people using them.
  
• Try not to eat too fast or on the run.
  Chew food at least 15-20 times per mouthful.
  Don't eat too much to the point of feeling stuffed or bloated.
  Don't drink too much fluid with a meal which can dilute stomach acid and digestive enzymes (one cup with a meal is sufficient).
  
• Eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C to enhance immune response and protect the nerves from stress.
  

• Foods rich in calcium include sesame seeds, almonds, soy food and leafy greens. Foods rich in magnesium include wheat germ, kelp, and most nuts. Foods rich in vitamin C include peppers, greens, broccoli, kiwi and cherries.

You usually can find the supplements listed here at Wal-Mart or your local health food store. You can also buy them online. We recommend Puritan's Pride for all your vitamin and supplement needs. Their products are always fresh and of the highest quality. Their prices can't be beat, not even by Wal-Mart. Shipping is very fast and inexpensive.

Look at The Wild Divine Project. This will change your life!