How to Cure Anxiety – Proven Strategies That Work

Author: Joseph P. Landry

I went through a very traumatic event in my life. The result was I went through a long period in which high anxiety, stress, and even depression ruled my very being. I was able to conquer this condition through a lot of hard work on my part. I also had the invaluable support of family and friends. I also will be quite blunt. For you to undertake this challenge you must be willing to put in a lot of effort. Do you want to learn how to cure anxiety, a condition that now controls you? I will provide you with proven strategies that do work.

1. Identify the trigger or cause for your anxiety.
The first step that you need to take is trying to understand what it is that causes the high level of anxiety and stress that is now controlling you. Most likely there is a root cause, or a trigger that is causing that racing heart, elevated blood pressure reading, pain in your stomach, sweaty palms, and/or extreme state of nervousness that have become a part of your being. What I have described physically are the symptoms for the stress and anxiety that you feel. Understanding first the trigger, or root cause for these symptoms provides the blueprint for your being able to eventually conquer this disorder.

Everyone's trigger is different. You might have recently lost your job and feel the pressure in trying to support your family. Or while you may still have a job, because there have been lay-offs in your business your boss has put even more responsibility and pressure on you to perform at even higher expectations. In the above cases there is a trigger, (the loss of a job in the first example) that could potentially lead to an unhealthy level of anxiety taking over your being. Identifying the trigger and then setting out a strategy to eventually eliminate the anxiety and stress that has taken over your thoughts is crucial.

Your level of anxiety may cause you to take the step in seeking medical attention from a specialist, (psychiatrist or psychologist). That is fine, and indeed encouraged if the situation is that bad. As for my case, I learned to trust my psychiatrist who always had my best interests out for me. I do want to make one thing perfectly clear however. In print and in the media, (television, radio, and the Internet) there have been numerous campaigns advertising prescription medication as methods to help people with their anxiety, stress, depression, and panic attacks. Let me make it perfectly clear. Prescription medication does not treat thetrigger(s) for your anxiety, (stress, or depression). Any pills that you take will temporarily treat the symptoms associated with anxiety and stress, only! It is my fervent hope that you understand that principle and that your medical specialist will explain this message to you clearly.

After identifying the trigger, what other specific steps must you take in how to cure anxiety that has overwhelmed you? Here are some strategies:

2. Relaxation techniques.
Incorporate slow breathing exercises into your daily routine. You want to be able to lower both your standing pulse and blood pressure. Slow, deep breathing exercises: inhaling air up to a count of 5, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling the air-stream out up to a count of 8 will ease the physical tension that has built up in your body. As you do this exercise your entire mind should be focused on your breathing. In addition, consider yoga and/or silent meditation as forms of relaxation exercises. Yoga and meditation have been practiced in various cultures on our planet for centuries. Information on yoga and meditation can be found by simply doing research on the Internet.

3. Activities to engage your mind on thoughts other than the trigger
Whether it is actual physical exercise, listening to soothing music, gardening, or working on your car; try to regularly engage in an activity that will take your mind off of that trigger. You want your mind focused on the music that you listen to, planting the tomatoes in the garden correctly, or riding your bicycle on a 25 mile excursion instead of constantly thinking of a potential job loss. The other benefit of physical exercise is that you release the chemical endorphins that cause anxiety and stress as you work out.
I want to discuss one other activity that you should not be engaged in if you suffer from anxiety. You should not be taking alcohol in any form if a high level of anxiety and stress exists within your system. Alcohol does not relax you, but has been proven medically to have the opposite affect on your body. Besides eventually inhibiting your judgment if taken in great amounts, alcohol will actually raise the level of anxiety that exists within you. Alcohol should be the last thing that you should consider taking while suffering from anxiety and stress, (as well as depression).

So if your aim is how to cure anxiety, I strongly suggest that you implement these strategies into your daily life. I know that you want to eliminate the condition of anxiety from within you. Be pro-active and focus on the fact that you can take control of your own body. I wish you nothing but the best of luck.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/how-to-cure-anxiety-proven-strategies-that-work-5107803.html

About the Author

Fifteen years ago, I went through a very traumatic experience in my life. Because of that I eventually was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder through a medical professional in the field of psychiatry. I had many panic attacks that I often found to be overwhelming. At times, I feel as if I was not in control of the thoughts coming from my mind. Through behavior modification exercises provided by a trained medical professional, and through loving support of friends and family members, I overcame this disorder. I wish to offer support and guidance to those individuals who are going through the same ordeal as I did.