Why We Should Think Of Our Brains As A Muscle That Needs Training
We understand what its like to go to the gym a few times a week and look after our physical bodies, but we need to start looking after our minds theyve never been under this much strain, where the world is quicker than ever.”
Just like our body, our mind needs regular exercise and daily attention, says Jamie. “To be able to manage your mind is a skill like any other skill and weve forgotten that. Why wait until you feel terrible to do it?
Our mind needs regular exercise and daily attention. To be able to manage your mind is a skill.
The goal of exercising your mind is not to find happiness, which Jamie describes as a transient emotion. “All of our emotions are transient. Theres no such thing as a bad emotion,” she says. “When we dont feel happy we panic, but its about accepting that we are always in different stages but knowing that it will pass. Happiness is not perfect; it doesnt exist when you get that job or the house or the car were always putting happiness off because were always in this rat race to get there.
By taking a time out each day to perform some brain training exercises, Jamies hope is that the simple process will help you accept when thing arent perfect and give you a different metric for success .
Tip : Bring Your Senses To The Rescue
To use your senses to quickly relieve stress, you first need to identify the sensory experiences that work best for you. This can require some experimentation. As you employ different senses, note how quickly your stress levels drop. And be as precise as possible. What is the specific kind of sound or type of movement that affects you the most? For example, if youre a music lover, listen to many different artists and types of music until you find the song that instantly lifts and relaxes you.
Explore a variety of sensory experiences so that no matter where you are, youll always have a tool to relieve stress.
The examples listed below are intended to be a jumping-off point. Let your imagination run free and come up with additional things to try. When you find the right sensory technique, youll know it!
Causes And Risk Factors
Anxiety is a normal response to stress or a dangerous situation and its often referred to as the fight or flight response. Its also the most prevalent mental health condition. Anxiety becomes problematic when it is constant or in reaction to inappropriate circumstances, which over time can negatively affect your day-to-day life. In fact, there are a number of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
Causes of anxiety include:
- inability to socialize
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Bleiben Sie Auf Dem Laufenden Und Informieren Sie Sich Ber Die Welt
Für viele von uns ist eine der Hauptursachen für Stress und Ängste die Angst vor dem Unbekannten. Die Coronavirus-Krise ist anders als alles, was wir bisher erlebt haben, und sie bringt alle möglichen unbekannten Variablen mit sich.
Diese Angst wird durch die Auswirkungen der Arbeit von zu Hause aus noch verschärft. Uns fehlt der bereits erwähnte Kontakt zu Freunden und Kollegen, die uns beruhigen und eine objektive Sicht auf unsere Sorgen bieten könnten.
Es ist zwar wichtig, während der Krise mit den Angehörigen in Kontakt zu bleiben, wenn man von zu Hause aus arbeitet, aber es lohnt sich auch, sich selbst zu informieren und auf dem Laufenden zu halten. Bleiben Sie auf dem Laufenden, indem Sie eine Reihe von Quellen lesen.
Sowie vertrauenswürdige Medienpublikationen, auf offizielle medizinische Quellen zurückgreifen wie z. B. die Weltgesundheitsorganisation oder Websites von Bundes- oder Landesregierungen. Indem Sie sich über die neuesten Entwicklungen auf dem Laufenden halten, verschaffen Sie sich ein Gefühl der Kontrolle, das durch vertrauenswürdiges und authentisches Wissen gefördert wird.
Es ist wichtig zu wissen, dass diese Strategie nicht für jeden geeignet ist. Manche Menschen empfinden diese Informationsflut sogar als noch stressiger. Wenn dies Ihren Stress verschlimmert, sollten Sie es vermeiden, zu viele Nachrichten zu konsumieren, und sich auf das beschränken, was für Ihre Sicherheit und Ihr Wohlbefinden notwendig ist.
Sip Some Herbal Chamomile Or Green Tea
If youre feeling jittery, pour a cup of chamomile or green tea. Known as a sleep aid, chamomile contains a compound called Matricaria recutita, which binds to the same brain receptors as drugs like Valium. Chamomiles sedative effects may also come from the flavonoid apigenin. In one study at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia, patients with generalized anxiety disorder who took chamomile supplements for 8 weeks showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms compared with patients taking placebo.
Green tea, long used in Chinese medicine to treat depression, contains the amino acid L-theanine, which relieves stress, and reduces blood pressure and muscle tension. Nuts, whole grains, and broccoli are also rich in L-theanine.
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Try A Meditation For Anxiety From Headspace
With regular meditation, we increase our ability to manage anxiety. Headspace co-founder and former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe says that were not trying to get rid of the anxiety when we sit to meditate thats not how you tackle anxiety. As Andy says, Meditation isnt about resisting anxiety or pushing it away; its about changing our relationship to it, being at ease with it, and being okay with it when it arises, without buying into it. When were able to watch the anxiety come and go, then thats a really comfortable, healthy place to be.
Spend Time With A Pet
Stroking a pet can have an incredibly calming effect. Once again it is the caring interaction that is thought to release oxytocin and counter the effects of stress.
Owning a pet can also give someone a sense of purpose, encourage exercise and providing companionship. However owning a pet when you are unable to look after them properly can provoke additional stress and worry!
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These Methods Will Help You Relax When You’re Feeling Stressed
by Selene Yeager, AARP, May 23, 2019
En español | Anxiety is on the rise in the U.S., with boomers leading the hand-wringing charge. A 2018 national poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that Americans anxiety score jumped five points on a zero-to-100 scale from the same poll taken in 2017 with a seven-point leap among boomers.
Plenty of theories try to explain why we’re so stressed out, pointing to technology’s influence , a faster-paced world and more widespread financial worries. Whatever the cause of your own anxiety, it’s helpful to have ways to calm yourself when you start to feel the tension rise. Consult a doctor if your anxiety is persistent or interfering with your daily life.
Here’s the lowdown on some popular self-calming methods:
Move More Eat Well Sleeeeep
Its pretty well-known that exercise lowers stress, reduces anxiety and improves mood. And the good news is: you dont need to run a marathon to get the benefits. It takes just 30 minutes of exercise a day to make a difference. Weve got some tips on how to exercise when you’re not motivated.
Diet and sleep are also really important for your wellbeing. A healthy diet;will make you feel healthier and stronger and better able to handle stress, while enough sleep;positively affects your mood and stress levels.
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How To Stop Feeling Anxious Right Now
While itâs normal to get nervous about an important event or life change, about 40 million Americans live with an anxiety disorder, which is more than the occasional worry or fear. Anxiety disorders can range from a generalized anxiety disorder , which is intense worrying that you canât control, to panic disorder — sudden episodes of fear, along with heart palpitations, trembling, shaking, or sweating.
For those with an anxiety disorder, itâs important to look into strategies that can help manage or reduce anxiety in the long term, like talk therapy or medication. But everyone can benefit from other ways to reduce stress and anxiety with lifestyle changes such as eating a well-balanced diet, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and taking time for yourself.
Plus, there are steps you can take the moment when anxiety starts to take hold. Try these 10 expert-backed suggestions to relax your mind and help you regain control of your thoughts.
Why Quick Natural Stress Reduction Strategies Are So Important
It seems as though most Americans are high on stress these days.; Unfortunately, the data backs up this feeling.
According to a 2014 study conducted by the American Psychological Association, 77% of adults in the United States regularly experience physical symptoms of stress and 73% encounter psychological symptoms caused by stress.
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Listen To A Relaxing Song
Emmeline Edwards, Ph.D, Director of the Division of Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health, said music therapy can also be a great way to relax wherever you are.
The auditory cortex is connected to other areas of the brain that are connected to our reward system, motor systems, centers for motivation and emotion regulation, Edwards said.
In fact, research shows music can help people dealing with stress-related disorders, mild depression and anxiety.
Planen Sie Ihren Tag Und Schaffen Sie Eine Routine
Für viele, die plötzlich von zu Hause aus arbeiten, ist ihr gewohnter Tagesablauf durcheinander geraten. Wo sie früher um sechs Uhr aufgestanden sind, joggen gegangen sind, mit dem Hund spazieren waren, gefrühstückt haben und zur Arbeit gefahren sind, sehen sie sich jetzt zu einer neuen Routine gezwungen.
Aber Routine ist entscheidend für die Aufrechterhaltung der Stimmung und den Abbau von Stress und Angst. Sie gibt der Unordnung eine Form, eine Struktur, in der sie sich verankern kann.
Auch dafür gibt es Beweise. Viele Gefangene, die sich für eine gewisse Zeit in Einzelhaft befinden, stellen fest, dass die Einhaltung einer Routine sie in einer ansonsten schwierigen Umgebung bei Verstand hält.
Schaffen Sie sich eine Routine für Ihre neue Fernarbeitssituation und halten Sie sich daran. Stehen Sie auf, essen Sie, treiben Sie Sport und schlafen Sie jeden Tag zur gleichen Zeit. Das gibt Ihnen die Struktur, den Raum und die Stabilität, die Sie brauchen, um auf dem Boden der Tatsachen zu bleiben.
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How To Reduce Anxiety
Feelings of anxiety uneasiness, dread, fear, or an inexplicable sense of impending doom can be deeply unpleasant. Whether anxiety presents itself as an upset stomach, heart palpitations, a nervous tension that colors everything, or even a panic attack, the discomfort and distress can be extremely challenging.
Were not talking about general, everyday anxiousness here, but clinical anxiety the kind that can be all-consuming and, sometimes, debilitating. When classified as a disorder, anxiety is persistent and excessive worry where individuals can lose rational perspective and expect the worst, even when there is no apparent reason for concern, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Chronic or severe symptoms may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder , which affects close to 40 million adults in the US and, according to the World Health Organization , 1 in 13 globally. Thankfully, there are effective therapies and medications as doctors and healthcare professionals determine the best treatment options that are right for you.
With the right skills and lifestyle changes, we can better regulate our emotions and train our brain to view life with a more balanced, less fearful perspective. Heres how to relieve anxiety naturally, and with awareness.
Spend Some Time In Nature
As previously reported by Health, spending time in nature has a profound effect on our stress levels. According to a study in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, even spending just 20 minutes in a park does wonders for our well-being. According to research psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Joy of Movement, incorporating a little nature every day is beneficial to managing your stress levels. Depending on how youre social distancing, getting to a park every day may not be easy, but even a short daily walk outside would suffice and help you clear your head.
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Make The Most Of Your Morning Commute
Sometimes we can find ourselves looking at news stories that trigger negative emotions. Consider listening to music that makes you feel good, or a podcast that is motivating and educating. If youre using public transport, this is a perfect time to do some morning journal writing and put however you’re feeling onto paper so you can refresh your mind before you enter the workplace.
A Daily Ritual That Will Help You De
For many, stress is an accepted part of daily life, whether its triggered by a mile-long to-do list at work, a schedule packed full of family commitments or the stream of never-ending bills in your mailbox .
Research suggests that over the past decade there has been a sharp rise in mental-health related issues, like stress and anxiety. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that 31 percent of respondents saw an increase in their stress levels in 2016 and 2017, with 20 percent reporting experiencing extreme stress.
Poppy Jamie, entrepreneur, TV personality and creator of the mindfulness app Happy, Not Perfect, is no stranger to the severe health effects of a high-stress lifestyle.
started for me at a young age, because my mother is a psychotherapist and my father is an entrepreneur who suffered from severe stress and anxiety, says Jamie. As she entered the workforce, Jamie began to struggle with stress-related health issues of her own. I was a TV host for seven years and I started my own business and I was trying to do so much, I was very much my fathers daughter feeling stressed and anxious, she says.
We are have these up and down emotional lives but werent given the tools to be able to deal with it.
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Eat Well And Eat Consistently
If youre hoping to reduce stress, keep in mind this one key piece of advice: Dont skip meals. Eating on a regular schedule every three to five hours helps balance your blood sugar levels. Being in a chronic state of low blood sugar is stressful on your body and can increase cortisol, so maintaining a balanced blood sugar can go a long way.
And tempting though it may be, dont turn to supplements to get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs.
We know what impact nutrition has on your body, whereas supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Barth says. I always tell people: Go with food first.
Types Of Relaxation Techniques
However, a whole range of relaxation practices can help you power down and de-stress.
There’s no one shoe that fits all, Smith says. He points to five or six approaches based on scientific observation and experience that really do work for stress reduction. There are other therapies, too, that you might find helpful. You can do one at a time or you can practice some together.
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Practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation involves relaxing all the muscles in your body, group by group. To practice, you can start with a few deep breaths.
Then, practice tightening and relaxing each muscle group, starting with your forehead and moving down to your toes.;
With practice, you’ll learn to recognize tension and tightness in your muscles and you’ll be able to relax more easily. Each time you practice, however, you should experience a feeling of relaxation sweeping through your body.;
Anxiety Natural Remedies: 15 Ways To Relax & Find Calm
Anxiety can be a;disabling condition thats accompanied by long-term stress and a decline in overall health. It contributes to many chronic diseases, even when treated with conventional medications. Thats why we need to use natural remedies for anxiety and other mood disorders that will address the root of the problem instead of putting a Band-Aid on your symptoms.
In fact, anxiety can affect people of all ages, with a lifetime prevalence between 4.3 and 5.9 percent. In addition, 4060 percent of people with anxiety experience signs of depression, which makes it an even more serious and difficult condition to treat properly. And research shows that people with anxiety cannot successfully achieve short or long term remission, with remission rates remaining as low as 38 percent after five years.
The good news is that there are many natural remedies for anxiety that are safe and dont cause adverse side effects like so many anti-anxiety medications. By;eating a clean and well-balanced diet that contains important nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium and omega-3s, and using essential oils for anxiety, you will notice an immediate difference in your mood, energy levels and sleep patterns.
Plus, there are many supplements and lifestyle changes that serve as natural remedies for anxiety.
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Use An App To Help You Learn How To Meditate
There are many free meditation apps out there that can help you tune out for the five minutes you need to relax.
Popular apps like Headspace or Insight Timer have hundreds of guided meditation options that can help you deal with any emotion you may be feeling. Research suggests meditation can help ease anxiety and depression.
Nick Allen, a psychology professor and director of the Center for Digital Mental Health at the University of Oregon, suggests you try to build a meditation practice when you’re not feeling stressed. The more you work beforehand, he said, either by yourself or with a professional, the better results youll see when youre in a pinch.
