What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is excessive worry, nervousness or agitation about a subject.  Many times it a result of thinking about something that is going to happen.  Anxiety is also a product of stress. When you are stressed, there is a tendency to worry.  Excessive worry that interferes with a person’s ability to sleep and normal ability to function is considered a problem. When it gets to this level, it is termed a disorder.

There are several types of anxiety disorders:  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Phobia, Panic disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder.

How does anxiety affect your body?

When you are worrying, your body is undergoing what is termed the "fight-or-flight" response.  Your body is releasing stress hormones that affect you both physically and emotionally. 

What can help with anxiety?

There are many ways in which a person can learn to deal with anxiety.  You can address anxiety with self-help remedies, you can consult your traditional medical doctor, you can consult with an alternative medicine practitioner or you can do a combination of both.

Below are a list of some self-help ways which can help you with anxiety:

• Meditation - Meditation involves learning to let go of thoughts and learning to relax, which are both essential. When practiced regularly, they can increase your sense of wellbeing and feeling of relaxation.
• Eat healthy - make sure you are eating healthy and drinking lots of water.  A healthy body is better able to deal with stress. Essential Fatty Acids among other things are something you should consider.
• Exercise regularly - exercise can help to relieve stress and anxiety. If you are looking for an exercise that combines physical movement with breathing and mind control then try yoga, qigong or tai chi.
• Get regular amounts of sleep - lack of sleep exacerbates anxiety.  If you need assistance try meditating right before bed.
• Find a hobby - find something that you really enjoy and do it on a regular basis.  This will both improve your mood and take your mind off of your worries.
• Go on a retreat - get away and relax.

Stressful situations can cause your blood pressure to spike temporarily. When you are stressed, your body produces a surge of hormones and these hormones temporarily increase your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster and your blood vessels to narrow.

Stress and long-term high blood pressure

These temporary spikes in blood pressure could lead to long-term high blood pressure, however, there has not been a connection made that stress by itself causes long-term high blood pressure. It may be that other behaviors linked to stress — such as overeating, anxiety, depression, isolation from friends/family, drinking alcohol and poor sleeping habits — cause long-term high blood pressure.  

Stress and long-term high blood pressure may not be linked, but taking steps to reduce your stress can improve your general health, including your blood pressure. Mastering stress management techniques can lead to other behavior changes — including those that reduce your blood pressure.

Stress Reducing Activities

There are many options for reducing stress and managing stress:

• Try meditation and yoga. Yoga and meditation strengthens your body and helps you relax. It is different then "normal exercise" because it involves bringing your mind to the activity.
• Simplify your schedule. Take the time to prioritize your schedule.  If there are activities that take up your time but are not important, remove them or schedule less time for them.
• Breathe to relax. Learn to take deep abdominal breaths when you are feeling stressed.
• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is important to your health. When you are well rested, your body is able to deal with stress. Of course, the opposite is true if you are not getting enough sleep.

Have you ever tried to meditate and started noticing all of the thoughts roaming around in your head? You then came to the conclusion that you could not meditate.  You thought to yourself "How could I possibly meditate with all those thoughts roaming around in my head?". Well, I am here to tell you that you can meditate. 

Part of the process of meditation is an awakening awareness.  Since you have taken the steps to direct your focus inwardly, you are becoming aware of all of the thoughts that have been in your head for quite some time.  With continued meditation, your mind will become more and more quiet.  You will also learn to release thoughts that do not serve you more easily and also to observe those thoughts in a conscious but passive way.  In other words, you will learn to observe them in a mindful way.  You will learn that you are more than the thoughts in your head.  You are the unnameable.

So you see, you can meditate.  Relax, breath and practice meditation. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. 

Meditation Assistance

If you need assistance or would like guidance with your meditation, then join the Meditation for Health Program^TM. In the program, there are two options: Self-Guided and Personalized.  In the Self-guided program, you receive access to the online meditation course and get your questions answered via the meditation community forum. If ever you need personalized assistance, you can schedule an appointment. In the Personalized program (including Meditation Retreat members), your personalized program material is mailed to you on a regular basis and you also get 3 one-on-one meditation counseling sessions. You also have access to the meditation community forum to get questions answered. 

Learn more to find out if the Meditation for Health Program is for you.

Studies have illustrated a strong link between insomnia and chronic stress. According to APA's (American Psychological Association) Stress in America survey, more than 40 percent of all adults say they lie awake at night because of stress.

Stress can be defined as any uncomfortable "emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes." When you are stressed you are worried about the future or dwelling on the past.  Thoughts are continually roaming around in your head, which is especially prominent when you are lying down trying to get to sleep.  Meditating at night is a great way to train your mind to release these thoughts and settle down for bed.  When you quiet your mind at night with meditation, you increase the "stress reducing" hormone levels in your body and allow your physical and mental body to heal. 

Guided Meditation for Sleep

$0.99 each Guided Meditation for Sleep

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Meditation for Health Program^TM

The Meditation for Health Program was designed to help individuals learn the techniques to deal with stress.  Click here to find out more information.