However, for some 20 million of U.S. citizens, this supposedly helpful alarm system has turned against them. The anxiety, which is supposed to be triggered at moments when threat is at hand, appears spontaneously for no apparent reason. With its unexpected occurrence and intense physical symptoms, sufferers become quite peeved and fearful for the next attack. Their fear for another episode of this horrifying feeling plagues their every minute. For this reason, they find themselves losing interest and satisfaction in things that life has to offer.

For these people who have suffered from the terrors of anxiety attacks, some of the most common symptoms provoked in them include heart palpitations or chest pains; trouble breathing, choking sensation or feeling of smothering; hot flashes or chills; dizziness or lightheadedness; numbness or tingling sensations; abdominal cramps or nausea; shaking or trembling; sweating; loss of reality; fear of death; and feelings of going crazy. These symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes and settle down over the next few hours. Not all of them, however, need to be manifested in order to qualify as an anxiety attack. At least four in this list of symptoms should be experienced.

People with this kind of condition should know that as frightening as these feelings can be, they are not unshakable. Over the years, techniques have been developed to help conquer and relieve them. A specialist or trained therapist can be consulted to assist in the determination of appropriate course of treatment. Some techniques implemented to help manage these anxiety attacks include psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment, and complimentary techniques.

Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy wherein a patient suffering from mental or emotional problems talks to a trained mental health professional and together looks for solutions on how to deal with difficulties such as generalized anxiety disorder.

This therapy helps clients understand what they are going through so that they can identify feelings and perceptions that lead them to fits of anxiety. When they are able to accept the reasons that led them to this path and starts to embrace steps to resolve them, only then are they able to rise above these anxieties.

But in order for this technique to work, a trusting relationship between the client and the psychotherapist must be first established. Only with trust can the client be able to bear all the things that bother them. Typically, psychotherapy sessions may last for several months. But they can also be extended for years. This can be practiced on a one-to-one basis, in pairs, or in a group.

Pharmacological interventions are also used to help alleviate anxiety symptoms. Experts believe that by affecting specific changes in the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, anxiety symptoms will be eliminated.

Most common medications used in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder include antidepressant and anxiolytics. Anti-depressants are categorized as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Drugs of the benzodiazepine group are the most common anxiolytics prescribed.

Because these drugs cause unpleasant side effects and significant health risks, most psychologists advise patients to explore first some non-pharmacological methods. These methods are called complimentary techniques.

Complimentary techniques are examples of personal management strategies that may help relieve stress, anxieties and worries. They are incorporated in the client’s daily routine and diet to further solidify other treatment programs. These strategies include relaxation techniques, regular exercise, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies.

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation activate the body’s natural relaxation responses. Through these exercises, they help bring back the state of equilibrium of the nervous system that has been disrupted by tension and anxiety. Regular exercise like brisk walking, running or swimming also works in this way. They promote not only physical but psychological well-being as well.

Eating a variety of foods that are rich in essential B vitamins, magnesium and calcium, protein, carbohydrates, and anti-oxidants are also recommended. Healthy diet helps boost the immune system and maintain proper functioning of the nerves.

Herbs such as valerian root, kava kava, passionflower and St. John’s Wort have been used, too. Active ingredients present in them help to manage anxieties with little to no side effects.

Managing anxiety symptoms cannot be singularly addressed by one treatment option. A combination of the above-stated treatment techniques should be employed by health professionals and their clients to effectively resolve the problem.

Susie has a very soft voice in this video, especially with tips #5, so you might need to turn your volume way up.

“I believe that when we have our health we can use our bodies as a tool to help us achieve our mission. Therefore, these 5 strategies will help you be more successful with your health and also in your work.”

Summary:

1. Hydrate: flush out the toxins 1st thing in the morning: Set up your flow for the day.
2. Leafy Greens: eat more green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, broccoli, spinach and swiss chard. The magnesium in these vegetables will help you be more heart centered. Since my magnesium is the number 1 mineral needed by the heart and our spirituality, emotions, and physicality are all connected, when you feed your heart what it needs, it can soften, open, and you can be a heart centered human being. This is where the world is going and to be a leader, you can only achieve true success if you operate in your life from your heart.
3. Breathe while you eat: allow your belly to really expand so that you can oxygenate your digestive system, your immune system, and your second brain. you’ll assimilate your nutrients better, you’ll feel calmer, and you’ll be smarter.
4. Chew your food: This is a great strategy to help you slow down. So many times our minds are so busy with all the things we have to get done, that we tend to translate that into our mealtimes. For all you smoothie drinkers out there, chew your smoothies- don’t drink them. You need those salivary enzymes to be working in your mouth so that you conserve energy for the important stuff… like being successful!
5. Eat with the seasons: Eating seasonally reconnects you to the natural rhythms of the universe. With this deep connection you can make intelligent and intuitive decisions for your business because you are connected to something much deeper that than what everyone else is saying. You are tapping into true wisdom.

Why not make them now and use the New Year as a measuring point (eg: did you keep your resolutions?)

Here’s what the author has to say:

There is a reason New Year’s resolutions don’t work – it’s a lot easier to talk about changing a habit than actually doing the work to change it. So break the bad habit of setting New Year’s resolutions and start right now on your business planning for 2012.

There is a glaring issue I see from a lot of would-be successful entrepreneurs – people love to talk about their business ideas, but they never take the baby steps to set a plan into place and then execute it.

Another issue is that by the time you start on your goals on January 2nd, it’s already to late – 2012 already started! While you are now trying to plan out your year, your competition is already working on executing theirs. Plan now so you can implement your ideas starting January 2nd and get yourself off the ground and running in 2012 (or before!).

In my experience, my business is most successful when I plan ahead. In fact, if I don’t plan ahead, my ideas and projects fall by the wayside. I am very specific whether planning out my day, month, or year, because I know the success that persistent planning (and sticking to that plan) has brought me. You can do it too, you just need to be dedicated to planning and implementing.

There’s more, read the rest: No Time For New Year’s Resolutions – Start Working Now!

(By the way, there are some pretty good comments on that post.)

Jeff talks about goal setting and I think I’ll add one thing to his list.

Once you have an idea of what you goals are, write down the #1, #2, and #3 things that you need to do, every day, to achieve your goal(s.) I’ll bet reading emails and updating twitter aren’t on that top three. (wink)

As an example – If I want to get more traffic to this site, Gems4friends.com, my top three daily goals might be:

1. Write a new post, every day – the post could even be a poll.
2. Write an article elsewhere that points back to this site, or otherwise get links back.
3. Research and plan ahead a bit so I know what I’m doing for the rest of the week and month.

What might be the top three if you’re looking for a new job? Trying to get into the school of your choice? Need to ace your exams? Or any other goal you can think of?

Don’t wait till the first, go ahead and start now. By the 1st it will have become a habit.

The popularity of the December birthstone may be attributed to the curative elements that the gem is thought to have. Some believe that the topaz can lessen the symptoms of insomnia, giving way to the wear’s peaceful night’s sleep. The gem is thought to have a calming effect, particularly the blue topaz since blue is a color associated with calm

You can learn more about this gem on our December birthstone page.

You can also find a large selection of Blue Topaz Jewelry on Amazon, in all types and styles and price ranges. Gorgeous stuff.

While the traditional November birthstone is the Citrine, the mystical tradition has the pearl, and the Ayurvedics use the Topaz. Other traditions use the Diamond (which is a pretty nice stone for any occasion.)

Way back when Citrine was carried to protect against evil thoughts and snake venom. In modern times, people who use crystals for healing use Citrine for upliftment. Citrine encourages the yellow ray to support the body. This stone also helps one process energy work.

Citrine is a quartz crystal, or cluster of quartz crystals, that is orange to yellow in color. As such, while being a very pretty stone it’s not in the same class as diamonds and rubies. Citrine is much less common than Quartz, but it’s hadly rare or exotic.

You can learn a bit more about this gem on our Citrine birthstone page.

If you’re looking for Citrine jewelry for yourself or as a gift then take a look at the Citrine Jewelry on Amazon. They have a huge selection, starting from very low prices.

This will give me more flexibility in many ways and make posting new stuff considerably easier. I will also be able to provide accounts to people who wish to write/edit content, without their having to buy XsitePro.

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