Tips on Reducing Anxiety

Anxiety can be a good or bad thing---it can be a motivational tool for you, driving you to get work done, or it can be incredibly debilitating. People who suffer from serious anxiety disorders are unable to function normally and may be unusually fearful of everyday events and activities. If you suffer from anxiety, there are options to help you reduce your symptoms, regardless of the level or intensity that you might experience.

Relaxation

• Relaxation techniques are one of the best ways to reduce anxiety. An example of a relaxation technique is deep breathing. Inhale deeply for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, exhale for five seconds, and then hold your out breath for five more seconds. Repeat this pattern of breathing a couple of times. Deep breathing is not only relaxing but can also lower your heart rate---a real benefit if fear is triggering your anxiety.

  Exercise, such as yoga, can also be a form of relaxation. Any type of exercise is a great way to release tension, but yoga emphasizes breathing and stretching, which can be helpful to reduce anxiety. Also, taking time out from your schedule to exercise helps balance work and personal time and can greatly reduce your anxiety levels.

Medication

• If you suffer from anxiety so severe that it interferes with your life and qualifies as a disorder, then medication might be an option for you. A psychiatrist will be able to prescribe the best medication based upon your type of anxiety. She might prescribe an antidepressant, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, to treat the symptoms of general anxiety disorder. If you suffer more from panic attacks, then an on-demand medication may work better for you than a daily medication. Examples of medication for panic attacks are benzodiazepines. But if you have a family history of alcoholism, then your medical professional will prescribe a different medication because alcohol and benzodiazepines act on the same receptor of the brain.

Therapy

• Sometimes, the reason for anxiety can be on a deeper, psychological level, and you may benefit from talk therapy. Using therapy as a treatment for anxiety may help you find the source of your anxiety. A therapist may also be able to help you find effective techniques for dealing with your anxiety when you are not in a therapy session. She may also be the one to recommend psychiatric medication as a form of treatment if your type of anxiety could benefit from it. (Refer to the References below for more detail about the different types of anxiety and treatment options.)