Stressed Out? Me TOO!

I've had my hands full and I've been stressed out. Seriously, talk about biting off more than you can chew....

I do it often, because I think I work well under stress and pressure, but there are moments I hit a wall and go ENOUGH!

See, when my stress levels get high, anxiety can kick in for me, and that just overwhelms me. Stress I can deal with...but when the anxiety starts? Forget it...I'm a lost cause.

So here are some ways to manage your anxiety, next time you're hitting that wall. I needed to take a major time out this weekend to gather my wits back about me...hopefully a few of these will help you too.

Let me explain something quickly...stress...totally different than anxiety...the anxiety comes on and you get that panic feeling....stress is sort of like chronic, while anxiety is like NOW! This is what happens when I hit that point...my heart is racing, I panic, I don't want to go out, etc...I was going about my business doing just fine...then out of nowhere...I can't move..it's too much...I'm drowning...throw me a line...frozen in my spot, nowhere to go...luckily, once its gone it's gone...anyway, just letting you know I understand.

Often times an extremely stressful situation brings on anxiety as a way of dealing with it.

If you suffer from anxiety attacks on occasion or a more frequent anxiety disorder, there are steps you can take to keep your anxiety under control. Here are tips to add to your lifestyle to help you keep your stress and anxiety under control.

1. If it's out of control....seek help. Self-diagnosis of any type of physical or mental condition is unwise and can be dangerous. A professional psychologist can help you understand your anxiety and prescribe medication or other effective techniques.

2. Get better sleep. During the sleep cycle, your body repairs itself. You feel more rested after several hours of restorative sleep, reaching the REM stage. Most people need eight hours a night which varies within an hour or two each way.

3. Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you focus- which may help you see solutions to problems rather than simply worrying about them.

4. Meditate. Clear your mind...Meditation is more than chanting mantras. Simple mediation such as taking 5 minutes to clear your mind everyday can work wonders in the fight against anxiety.

5. Manage the worry. When you feel your pulse start to quicken, count backwards from ten. As you count, focus on the situation. What has actually happened? Resist the urge to read anything more into the situation.

6. Find a relaxing activity. Stress can rob you of your energy. On a regular basis, do something you like such as gardening, painting, reading or listening to music.

Anxiety can come into your life at any time. It’s normal. When the anxiety becomes frequent you could be at risk for more serious conditions. If you feel your anxiety is starting to take over your life or increasingly causing you problems, seek professional help...I've spoken to my doctor about anxiety and we've found solutions that help me when I reach that point.