Living with an Anxiety Disorder
The Body's Response to Stress By now, everyone has heard of the body's fight or flight response. This is a normal response to STRESS. The body releases stress hormones to get itself ready to deal with the perceived threat. These hormones energize the body, elevate the heart rate and TIGHTEN THE MUSCLES, in addition to… Continue reading Anxiety is a Pain in the Neck!
Why Don't I Exercise? I know exercise is good for anxiety and I will feel awesome after I do it. If I'm consistent with it, I'll be in amazing shape and look nice and fit too! So why haven't I started working out again? No Energy to Exercise Life is tiring! There's cleaning, cooking and… Continue reading Exercise is GREAT for Anxiety! Let’s Get Started!
What is Serotonin I need to get a little scientific today. The only way to understand your anxiety disorder and how to overcome it, is by learning a few basic facts. Couple these facts with your personal experiences and you will end up with logical conclusions. Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter in the… Continue reading Tryptophan = Serotonin = Low Anxiety
Fall is my favorite season! It was in September when all of the stars aligned and I woke up like if all of my anxiety and panic had been a nightmare. September 2011 Anxiety Free I was expecting to wake up with the same feeling in the pit of my stomach. My mornings for the… Continue reading Anxiety Free in the Fall – 2011
Exercise Reduces Anxiety One of the natural ways to reduce anxiety, is exercise. In my twenties, I exercised A LOT. I went to a gym twice a day and was in great shape. Is it a coincidence that during that time, I barely had ANY panic attacks? I think not. I know that exercise will… Continue reading Exercising for Anxiety
Gut Health So I’m testing out a theory and trying a nutrition program that heals “the gut”. The premise is that if you heal your gut, your stomach will produce more of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. My anxiety disorder appears to stem from a deficiency in this neurotransmitter. Heal the gut, produce more serotonin and cure the… Continue reading What the Gut?
These pictures were taken in the Summer of 2011. Four months earlier, I was on short term disability with Agoraphobia, which is basically a fear of places and situations that might cause panic. For me, it was every situation and every place! That meant I literally couldn’t leave my house! Luckily, with the help of… Continue reading Is Your Normal Really Abnormal?
Children are a blessing! Of course, I LOVE my children and they bring me so much joy. That’s not to say they aren’t A LOT OF WORK!! I was anxious enough when I was single, but insert a husband and children and my anxiety axis tipped over! What phase of life are you in? What… Continue reading Anxiety Axis
Every phase in life has its challenges and anxiety will usually be part of it in some way. Anxiety can be a good thing! It will motivate you to take action when you are not happy with some aspect of you life. Anxiety over your job makes you want to change it. Anxiety over your body motivates you to go… Continue reading Anxiety in my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s
Anxiety disorders are linked to low levels of Serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical and neurotransmitter in the body. Serotonin regulates: mood and social behavior appetite and digestion sleep memory sexual desire and function There is a link between low serotonin levels and anxiety and depression. For this reason, one way to control an anxiety disorder… Continue reading Why You are Losing the Anxiety Battle!
