Have you ever wondered why you suffer from some form of anxiety disorder?
After all, everybody is born with some fear in our lives. It all goes back genetically to when we were caveman and our responsive settings when it came to hunting was fight or flight. To hunt a Mammoth or Sabretooth or to run away as safety. Anxiety was considered a good thing for the longest time as it helped humans keep safe away from dangerous situations or animals but in the modern world, it can now be considered as a form of bad mental health.
The definition of Anxiety is an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs( sweating, tension and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self- doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it.
Fanshawe College professor Kathleen Dindoff says we suffer from anxiety because we have concerns, ” Anxiety is an evolutionary helpful thing, if we didn’t have it, we might not run away from predators, but it has become more of an issue in our complex modern world.” In the United States alone, over 40 million people suffer from some form of anxiety disorder.
There are six major types of anxiety disorders, each with their own distinct symptom profile: generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety attacks (panic disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobia, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The most common is phobia which over 12 percent of people have. There are tons of phobias out there which include Arachnophobia(the fear of spiders), Ophidiophobia( the fear of snakes), Acrophobia(fear of heights), Cynophobia(the fear of dogs), Claustraphobia-(the fear of small spaces), and aerophobia(the fear of flying.)
When you’re feeling anxious or stressed, these strategies will help you cope to living a healthy- stress free life:
Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head. Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand. Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks. Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest. Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health. Check out the fitness tips below. Take deep breaths. Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn’t possible, be proud of however close you get. Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way. Maintain a positive attitude. Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community, which creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress. Learn what triggers your anxiety. Talk to someone. Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed, and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.
