Archive for September, 2008

What to Look For When You Suspect You’re Having a Panic Attack

Monday, September 29th, 2008

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There has been much talk and news today about panic; perhaps more people are suffering from this condition because we live in such scary times in such a scary world, but perhaps more people are simply aware that they are having a panic attack and so are seeking treatment for it.  Unfortunately even with all the additional information that is out there about this disorder many patient still don’t know what to look for when they suspect they’re actually having a panic attack.

Panic attacks affect a person not just mentally and emotionally but physically as well.  It’s not unusual for those having a panic attack to get dizzy and lightheaded.  They also feel numbness and tingling in their arms and fingers.  Because of being panicked, they may have a hard time speaking or thinking clearly.  The symptoms of having a panic attack overwhelm them so that they have a hard time concentrating and focusing, and sometimes a sufferer can even slur their speech.

It’s easy to see why the symptoms of having a panic attack are confused with stroke or heart attack.  But the problem is that if someone assumes they’re having a heart attack or stroke and don’t realize that they’re having a panic attack they don’t get the help they need. 

They may check into a hospital and undergo test after test to find out the problem with their heart or have the doctor check for signs of a stroke, all the while ignoring the real issue.  This is not only costly and invasive, it’s also ineffective.  Being treated for a problem you don’t have and ignoring the problem you do doesn’t solve or help anything.

To be sure that you’re having a panic attack and not a stroke or heart attacks, it’s important to be keenly aware of the emotional reaction you have.  Panic is usually accompanied by fear of one’s surroundings or claustrophobia, an overwhelming urge to run away, confusion, and a sense of dread for what might happen next.  All of these emotional and mental reactions are signs of a person having a panic attack and may occur in conjunction with their physical reaction as well.

Panic affects each person differently with a variety of symptoms, so anyone that suspects he or she is having a panic attack should make an appointment with a physician to rule out physical problems and to get the help that is available as well.

Instant Stress and Anxiety Relief the Fun Way

Monday, September 29th, 2008

So you want instant stress relief? Stand up on your chair right now, stick the little finger on your right hand into your left nostril, put your left hand down the back of your pants or skirt and squeeze your right butt cheek and start singing ‘Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle’ as loud as you can.

Feel any better? My best guess is that you didn’t even do it, did you? But I can almost guarantee that had you, you will have forgotten what was stressing you out in the first place. If you want instant stress relief I can assure you all you need to do is get a little silly and laugh at yourself.

Stress is of course a very serious issue and we all take our stress very seriously. It affects our emotional and physical well-being putting strain on our minds and bodies. Our stress can also affect negatively those around us.

There are certainly serious stress conditions that life throws at you which are unavoidable and which no amount of silliness or laughing will relieve. We are quite capable of dealing with this type of stress when it comes along. We do however need instant stress relief techniques for the rest of the unnecessary anxiety we put ourselves through on a daily basis.

Anxiety is the reaction to and a symptom of stress and so the two go hand in hand. Instant anxiety relief can also be achieved through similar instant stress relief techniques. Again, though, there are definitely anxiety states where these techniques would not work.

Before we look at some of the things you can do to instantly relieve stress and your anxiety, one important point we want to raise is that a lot of what we do on a daily basis causes us the pointless stress we experience. Much of what stresses us out can honestly be avoided quite easily and as a long term goal this should be where your focus is put.

Ok back to the matter at hand. Something you can do right now to relieve your stress, besides the whole chair and finger in the nose thing, is to check out a page we setup on instant stress relief tips. You’ll see some quick things you can do at your computer which are great for stress relief. Be sure to check out the virtual bubblewrap. It’s great fun.

Of course everyone loves lists and what would an article about instant stress relief be without the top things you can do to relieve stress and anxiety; in list format. So here goes:

The Top 6 and a half things you can do to instantly relieve your stress and anxiety

  1. Grab a pillow, stick you face into it and scream as loud as you can while shaking your head from side to side
  2. Make yourself some chocolate milk, put a straw into the glass and blow bubbles until the milk spills over the edge
  3. If you have kids who are old enough or not too old yet, get yourselves onto the carpet and take turns tickling each other
  4. Put on your favorite rock and roll song and play some air guitar
  5. Run a bubble bath and get into it with all your work clothes still on. Get your partner or spouse to join you
  6. Make pancakes with the whole family and enjoy them outside on the lawn

6½. Phone a close friend or family member and find out what their instant stress reliever is and then do that

Hopefully that has given you a start and it is clear to you exactly what the point is when it comes to instantly relieving your stress or anxiety. If you didn’t then here it is: If you are looking to instantly relieve anxiety or stress the approach is much the same. The important thing to remember is that the best stress relief technique in the world is to just laugh. Laugh until the tears roll down your face or until your sides hurt or both.

Symptoms of Stress – You Can’t Fight What You Don’t Notice

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Stress is a normal facet in our lives. We thrive on a little stress because it keeps us focused and enables us to stay mentally alert. Sometimes, though, stress can start to take over and cause us to have anxiety attacks.

Anxiety can go unnoticed. It is easy to confuse anxiety and daily healthy stress. Prolonged anxiety and anxiety attacks should be identified and attended to as soon as possible. Anxiety attacks when left untreated can quickly become out of control and all consuming.

Recognizing indicators for an anxiety attack is an important first step to treatment. Though everyone reacts to stress in different ways some common indicators of unhealthy anxiety include difficulty concentrating, racing or uncontrollable thoughts, loss of memory, and feelings of confusion. In order to recognize the indicators for an anxiety attack, it’s important to understand the symptoms of stress first.

Physical symptoms often accompany anxiety attacks. During an anxiety attack you might experience trembling, shaking, stomach aches, hot or cold flashes, noticeably increased heart rhythm, nausea, or shortness of breath. These symptoms can be very upsetting and can interrupt normal daily activities.

During the height of an anxiety attack the physical symptoms can be so overwhelming that that they are upsetting. People often report feeling “out of control” of their body or as if they are “dying.” The first time a person experiences an anxiety attack they are unlikely to identify the symptoms of those of anxiety and are more likely to feel that they are experience a heart attack, stroke, or serious medical emergency.

Often it is someone else who notices the symptoms of an anxiety attack. Once an anxiety attacks are suspected immediate medical attention should be sought. Anxiety attacks have similar symptoms to more serious, life threatening medical conditions.

Once your doctor has determined that you are healthy overall, anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed and referral to a counselor or licensed therapist may be recommended.

A counselor will listen to the patient’s history and determine what stressing factors could be causing their symptoms. Once the patient gets a handle on the contributing factors for their attacks, a treatment plan would then be set up, based on the patient’s situation. A counselor can help them work through the stressors and show them ways to alleviate the stress causing their symptoms.

There are many websites devoted to the use of relaxation techniques that reduce symptoms to a more manageable level and breathing exercises to improve oxygen intake, which could help slow down a racing heart rhythm.

As the stress in your day to day life increases, there are many strategies for coping. Getting assistance in learning how to manage your anxiety is the first step. Determining the major stressors in your life and developing an effective strategy to cope with them will increase your comfort level and bring hope back into your life.

Get Josh Murphy’s latest free report ‘Self-Care Boot Camp’ – jam-packed with more great stress relief information at StressReliefTipsWeekly.com. Check out the site for more great info on topis like stress affecting your job as well as a free weekly newsletter that subscribers can’t get enough of!

Understanding What Alcohol Abuse Is And How To Recognise It

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

The consumption of alcoholic beverages dates back to the beginning of time. Unfortunately some of us are affected by the excessive consumption of alcohol in a very negative way. Hence the problem of alcohol abuse which has disrupted lives, societies and civilizations over the generations..

In today’s society consuming alcohol has become the norm and when consumed in moderation, it can be a relaxing tonic. Many people come home from a hard day of work and unwind with a drink. How do you know, though, when that relaxing drink has taken over your life? How do you know when you become dependent on it? Alcohol abuse in today’s society is becoming a serious problem. In the past people used to believe that alcohol abuse was a characteristic of a weak person, but now it is known that it is really a serious disease that has a chance of affecting us all.

Statistics on Alcohol Abuse

A surprising statistic is that 1 in 13 adults is affected by alcohol abuse. The online health guide, WebMD reported that in the United States alone, 12 to 14 million adults suffer from alcohol abuse and each year, around 100,000 adults will die from alcohol abuse. It has also been proven that alcohol abuse is a large factor in contributing to the country’s car accidents, suicides and homicides. Alcohol also affects many other things in daily life, including increased rates of job absenteeism, and increased reports of domestic violence and child abuse.

What are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Occasional drinks at home or with friends does not mean that you have a problem with alcohol. As a guideline:

- in women, a key indication that there is a degree ofalcohol abuse is if you consume more than seven drinks a week and more than three in a social gathering.

- In men, the rate of consumption would have to equal more than 14 drinks per week or anexcess of four drinks while with friends.

Other signs include:

- alcohol cravings,

- a loss of control when drinking, which leads to the person unable to stop drinking. –

-Tolerances built up to alcohol can be another sign of alcohol abuse,

- physical dependence on alcohol, such as nausea, sweating and headaches if no alcohol is consumed.

Scientists are discovering that many other factors are involved with drinking, such as family history of drinking, family genetics toward drinking, stress levels, and social and environmental factors.

Alcohol abuse is a very serious disease that is escalating all over the western world. It is a treatable disease, but is difficult to cure and it can affect anyone. Many factors make people more susceptible to it than others. Whilst many people drink and enjoy themselves in moderation, it is important that we all hear the message and keep our consumption to recognized tolerable levels.

Unfortunately modern society has raised the spectre of alcohol consumption to levels of absurdity as the fashion of Binge Drinking has become the norm amongst many of the young. This bad influence can only lead to more and more of us suffering from alcohol abuse.

How to Lose 15 Pounds

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Do you desire to lose 15 pounds fast? There are three kinds of pounds you can lose – water, fat or muscle – which ones do you want to lose?

Did you know that most people when they talk about losing weight, don’t really know what exactly they are talking about. For nearly everyone fat comes into the mind, when they hear the word weight, but fat is only a part of it.

If you want to lose 15 pounds just so it looks better on the scale readout, then it probably doesn’t matter whether you lose fat, water or muscle. When you are looking to lose that extra ring around your belly, then you are wanting to lose 15 pounds of fat fast.

If your goal is to lose fat instead of just pounds, it is important for you to know that water makes up a part of that weight loss. Indeed, during the first one or two days of any diet, the main part of the weight loss will be water.

Thousands of sites on the net pretend that they can demonstrate you how to lose 15 pounds fast. Of course they won’t inform you that it can be dangerous to your health if you are losing weight fast. Surely, it completely depends on what you think to be ‘fast’. Many people consider a few days, maybe a week to be fast, while for others it is a month.

To be realistic you should set your goal to lose 15 pounds in a months time, which is achievable if done right. Yet, there is a possible risk involved if the weight loss is not approached correctly.

Water is the easiest to lose, but there is no way just to get rid of the water if you want to lose 15 pounds fast. Your body needs water to survive. Deny the body the water and it will start to shut down.

To go hungry is not the solution either. Actually, when you stop to eat your body will slow down its metabolism and you might even build up weight. Denying your body it’s nutrients, will trigger the alarm. Your body goes into a survival mode, which leads to the fact that it will hang onto every morsel you eat, which leads to a weight gain.

A good way to lose 15 pounds fast is by eating foods like salmon which needs a lot of energy for the digestion. Probably now you will think that you should eat nothing but meat or fish, but I wouldn’t recommend that either, as this option is not very healthy either. To stay healthy, you need to feed your body a diet that gives it all nutrients it requires. It is possible to feed your body with a well balanced diet and still lose fat pounds, you just need to choose the right foods. Take your weight and fat content of your body before you begin with your weight loss plan and don’t forget to measure your body. Special calipers (usually part of a weight loss or fitness center’s tool kit) are used to measure fatty tissue on various areas of your body. Always keep these measurements in your reach to see how you are progressing.

See below for 5 steps you can take to lose 15 pounds fast:

1) Try to avoid the use of salt, which causes the body to retain water. Stop using salt and you will see how your weight starts to drop.

2) Always eat 4-6 small portions daily, instead of 3 big ones – this will help your body’s digestive system to work correctly.

3) Add foods that use more energy to digest, including meat, chicken, salmon, asparagus, cheese, carrots, squash and green beans.

4) Drink more the 8 glasses of water during the day, this will help you increase your metabolism.

5) Additional to your weight loss plan, exercise frequently to develop muscles, as muscle tissue burns more energy, which in turn causes you to lose weight.

Re-take your measurements about every week or two and if you aren’t seeing results, adjust your weight loss plan accordingly.

It is possible to 15 pounds fast, if you take action and then stay with your plan.

Online Anger Management – Does it Work?

Saturday, September 13th, 2008

Kids may exhibit unrestrained anger in school by physically lashing out at their friends. If your kid is reported to you by the school as being physically violent, then you should know that he or she has an anger problem. You can take your kid to any of the children anger management centers available for help. Sometimes people who suffer from anger problems may be as a result of severe mental problems. Usually, anger management programs cannot really help a person who has a severe mental condition because they cannot admit that they have a problem. Anger management classes are specially targeted at people who know that they have an anger problem and are looking for help. Some people erroneously assume that anger management is all about psychotherapy. Anger management is not totally about counseling but it is the combination of counseling and proven anger management skills that are bound to help you cope well with your anger problems. Do you know that anger serves as a barrier when it is not routed properly? You can lose friends over your anger problem if you are not careful. If you are keen about keeping your friends close and not pushing them away, learn how to control your anger. It’s very important. When you have a particular problem to solve, getting angry at it will not solve it. In reality, anger only serves to make an existing problem look insurmountable. When you make a deliberate attempt to remain unfazed in the face of a problem, the solution comes to you more quickly. This is a fantastic anger management technique that works for many people. It should work for you as well. Have you ever heard the popular saying that “A harsh word incites anger whereas a gentle word turns away anger”? Well, it’s true. The fact remains that two wrongs don’t make a right. Remember that two angry people will only cause more problems, but if they are calm and try to resolve problems amicably, they will be the better for it. When it comes to trying to control your anger, you must understand that anger management classes are available to help you curb and express your anger in the right way. Contrary to popular belief, anger management classes are not a preventive measure against anger. In reality, anger management classes are designed to help you give way to your anger positively, rather than negatively. Anger management techniques are as diverse and numerous as people are. What may work in calming one person down may not be efficient enough to get your temperature below boiling point. For any anger management technique to be a success for you, it must be able to calm you down and considerably. To be informed on helpful guide regarding articles about management online anger, or anger management programs visit HJ Shearer’s site ==> http://angermanagement-facts.com