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Managing Your Anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a stong feeling of fear or dread. People who are anxious often
feel they have no control over the things that are happening in their lives.
Some anxiety is normal. Everyone feels anxious sometimes. But when anxiety
keeps you from feeling healthy, and when it affects your work, your home
life, or your social life, it is important for you to get help. Your doctor
can help you get control of your anxiety and learn new coping skills.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety has many symptoms. You may have many of them or only a few. The
most common symptoms of anxiety include the following:
- Change in appetite or weight
- Change in sleeping habits
- Constant fatigue
- Increased irritability or restlessness
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Feeling nauseated
- Feeling short of breath
- Tremors (shakiness in your hands)
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
How can I control my anxiety?
Managing your anxiety should be a joint effort between you and your doctor.
You and your doctor can make a plan that will fit your needs. Sometimes
just making the plan helps you feel better. It helps you to feel that you
have control over your own life. Writing your plan down on paper also helps,
because it seems more "official" that way. Even small improvements
add up. You can play an important part in improving your health by learning
some ways to reduce overall stress and anxiety.
What can I do to reduce stress and anxiety?
There are some things that you can try that might help reduce your level
of stress and anxiety:
- Exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week.
- Set aside some time each day to do something relaxing, such as listening
to music, reading, talking with friends, or taking a walk.
- Cut down on coffee, tea, and alcohol.
- Eat several small, well-balanced meals each day, instead of eating three
large meals.
- Drink four to eight glasses of water every day.
- Get six to ten hours of sleep every night
- Practice any relaxation tips suggested by your doctor, such as deep
breathing or muscle relaxation.
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