Anxiety & Stress Reduction
Stress and anxiety inevitably play a role in our lives at one time or another. We feel stressed when the demands on our life are not met with equally effective coping strategies.
General Information on Anxiety
Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. Anxiety is hardwired into our brains. It is part of the body's fight-or-flight response, which prepares us to act quickly in the face of danger. It is a normal response to uncertainty, trouble, or feeling unprepared. You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships. Common symptoms include feeling nervous/ on edge, experiencing panic and panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, having trouble sleeping, experiencing a sense of impending danger or doom, breathing rapidly (hyperventilation), sweating, and/or trembling.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States affecting approximately 40 million adults every year.
General Information on Stress
Stress may be beneficial to us in small doses such as acting as a motivator for accomplishing goals. However, too much stress can become overwhelming and affect your physical and mental well-being. Recurrent physical and psychological stress may cause diminished self-esteem, decrease interpersonal and academic effectiveness, and create a cycle of self-blame and self-doubt. Stress affects each of us in different ways. It is important to be aware of your unique stressors and how stress manifest for you. Common stressors include academic demands, managing relationships, making career choices, financial issues, and personal growth worries.