Friday, August 17, 2007

How To Help Others Relax

There are a lot of people stressed out around us, and there are a lot of people who try to help them coping with it, but are doing it wrong. While trying to help, they only make the situation worse - not being aware of it. It's very important to know what to do in order to help, not hurt.

Stressed people have necessity of safety and company, do not forget that helping them takes a lot of time. You will have to dedicate yourself to them, communicate very often, walk together - this may last weeks or even months. Just a strong and close relationship can help stress affected persons.

One important thing to take care of is to give him or her an occupation, this way they do not have time for worrying. Involve them in a game, sports would be great -the more they move, the better. Video or console games help to relax and to gather attention too.
If a person stays stressed for a long period of time, she is going to have difficulties with her problem-solving ability, meanwhile advancing in the self-hiding matter. Such persons won't ask for help, but you should observe these signs in the behavior and offer your aid. First, involve in the persons' activity, and then co-work with them better than work for them.

It's sometimes hard to detect stress, thats why it is a very perilous foe. Pay attention on your friends and family not to miss the first signs. The symptoms of having stress are: absent-minding, irritation, increase in the respiratory rate to get more oxygen, isolating from others and many more. The specific signs and symptoms of stress vary from person to person, but all have the potential to harm the health, emotional well-being, and relationships with others. Not less important is to understand the sources of stress - its a BIG step for the treatment.

Remember that your mission is to help, and supporting the suffering persons is one of the best things you can do for them.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Anxiety Self Help Techniques

Individuals who suffer from anxiety know how important it is to try to achieve anxiety self help. At its worst, anxiety can lead to very serious problems, such as complete avoidance of many everyday activities.


While we all worry and feel anxious from time to time it is important to distinguish that anxiety disorder is not the same as simply experiencing occasional worry. Anxiety disorder is a type of extreme worry and anxiety that goes on for prolonged periods of time. Individuals who suffer from anxiety disorder experience debilitating symptoms which can flare into a full fledged anxiety attack.


Common symptoms of an anxiety attack include:


• An unrealistic view of problems

• Excessive worry and tension

• Irritability

• Sweating

• Muscle tension

• Restlessness

• Feeling edgy

• Nausea

• Difficulty concentrating

• Headaches

• Tiredness, lethargy and fatigue

• Urinating frequently

• Sleep disturbances

• Trembling

• Easily startled


The effects of anxiety disorder can be quite serious, leading to other problems such as avoidance behavior, low self-esteem, depression, alcohol or drug abuse and interpersonal difficulties.


Taking the time to learn about anxiety is one positive step toward achieving self help. It is important to stress that anxiety is treatable. The pain and discomfort of this disorder can be relieved by taking positive steps toward recovery. Coping techniques can help to relieve anxiety so that you can begin to live a normal life.


Breathing exercises have been found to be especially helpful for individuals who feel as though they are about to experience an anxiety attack. Due to the fact that one of the most common symptoms is rapid breathing when anxiety sets in, it is important to take slow, shallow breaths. Focus on breathing deeply to help counteract the automatic reaction of rapid breathing that is often triggered by an anxiety attack.


Oddly enough, make a pointed effort to try to increase your anxiety symptoms can also have a reverse calming effect.


Speaking positively to yourself when you feel anxious can also have a tremendously calming effect. Tell yourself that your symptoms will diminish. Remind yourself that this will pass and you will make it through it. As you speak positively to yourself, you will likely find that your symptoms have already started to lessen.


f necessary, you may even find it helpful to write down some supportive statements on index cards and carry them with you. Then, when you are feeling anxious and cannot focus on speaking positively to yourself, you will have the positive statements to read. This is a great portable tool that can be used anywhere and anytime you feel anxious.


Finally, make a pointed effort to discuss your anxiety with someone you trust. This could be a family member or friend or you might think about joining an anxiety support group where you can discuss your anxiety with others who experience the same issues.

It is possible to overcome anxiety and the debilitating effects of anxiety with positive anxiety self help methods.