This issue includes ...
1) TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
2) FEATURE ARTICLE: Seasonal Allergies Can
Aggravate Anxiety
3) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
4) CONTENT FOR YOUR WEB SITE OR E-ZINE
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1) TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
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"Our history is not our destiny."
-- Alan Cohen
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2) FEATURE ARTICLE: Seasonal Allergies Can
Aggravate Anxiety
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It's that time of year again -- when up to 40 million
Americans wake up with seasonal allergies. You know
the symptoms... the runny nose, the itchy eyes, the
obstructed breathing, the spacey feeling, and more.
And just as luck would have it, your anxiety feels
worse when allergy symptoms kick in, doesn't it?
There are two important reasons why seasonal allergies
tend to aggravate anxiety symptoms. First, allergies
create added stress that can trigger the body's alarm
system. And second, breathing is obstructed, which
creates shallow breathing that promotes symptoms.
The Body's Alarm System
Fighting off allergens puts added stress on the body.
The body responds to an overload of stressors the best
way it knows how -- by triggering its built-in alarm
system known as the "fight or flight" response.
The fight
or flight response is nature's way of protecting
us from perceived
harm by preparing the body to either
face or flee the
danger. It goes off whenever there is a
perceived
threat to our survival.
When the fight or flight response is triggered, it creates
a host of physical reactions such as increased heart rate,
increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, tingling,
muscle tension, dizziness, panic and so on -- reactions
that if left unchecked can increase in intensity and create
an anxiety cycle.
Anxiety sufferers tend to have a hypersensitive alarm
system, meaning that sometimes the body sends false
alarms and triggers the fight or flight response when no
real danger exists. So even though an allergy isn't typically
a threat to survival -- it's a false alarm -- the body springs
into action anyway to "fight off" this added stress.
People experiencing a great deal of stress are much more
likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking,
excess alcohol use, poor diets, and not exercising. These
unhealthy behaviors create even MORE stress on the body
and make the situation ripe for anxiety to strike.
That's why it's especially important to address fight or flight
symptoms immediately, reduce stress in other areas of your
life, and set aside time for self-care during allergy season.
For help in addressing fight or flight symptoms and
stopping the anxiety cycle, get our 7-day free ecourse at:
http://www.conqueranxiety.com
Obstructed Breathing
Seasonal allergies can block nasal passages and obstruct
breathing, which frequently results in shallow chest breathing
and shortness of breath. This obstructed breathing can trigger
the fight or flight response. It's no wonder that you feel anxious
and panicky when you have difficulty breathing properly!
Taking shallow breaths from the chest can create over-breathing,
also known as the hyperventilation syndrome. Over-breathing
is an excessive rate of breathing that causes a loss of carbon
dioxide and creates intense fight or flight symptoms, such as
feelings of choking, gasping, being smothered, panic,
trembling, and feeling like you're dying (sounds like anxiety,
doesn't it!).
This pattern of breathing feeds on itself because the more you
over-breathe, the lower your carbon dioxide levels get, and the
more intense the symptoms become. It's a vicious cycle.
To help yourself, consider learning deep breathing techniques
such as those we teach in our Conquer Anxiety Success
Program. Practicing deep breathing regularly will help you
breathe better during allergy season and all year round.
Here's to a healthy and anxiety-free allergy season!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Director
of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., a
former
anxiety sufferer, and creator of the Conquer Anxiety
Success Program. The course is a "take-action" self-study
program that guides you step by step through over seventy
practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. The course, our
newsletter, and other helpful resources are available at:
http://www.ConquerAnxiety.com
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Check out Omega supplements to
support your anxiety-free lifestyle at:
http://wellness.conqueranxiety.com
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3) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
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Newsletter Feedback or Suggestions?
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4) CONTENT FOR YOUR WEB SITE OR E-ZINE
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Need some fresh content for your web site or e-zine?
You now have permission to reprint these Anxiety Tips
articles on your web site or in your e-zine as long as:
a) Each article is printed in its full form with no changes.
b) You send a quick e-mail to editor@conqueranxiety.com
to let us know where you'll be publishing.
c) You include the following byline at the end of each article:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Director
of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., a
former
anxiety sufferer, and creator of the Conquer Anxiety
Success Program. The course is a "take-action" self-study
program that guides you step by step through over seventy
practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. The course, our
newsletter, and other helpful resources are available at:
http://www.ConquerAnxiety.com
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Copyright 2001-2005 by the
National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc.
900 E. Pecan St., Ste. 300, PMB 305
Pflugerville, TX 78660
All rights reserved.
Article copyright
April 17, 2003,
revised June 29, 2005
Disclaimer: All material provided in this newsletter
is provided
for informational or educational purposes
only. No content is
intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment.
Consult your physician regarding the
applicability of
any opinions or recommendations with respect
to
your symptoms or medical condition.
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