Introduction

It is normal to experience anxiety and sometimes it is can be regarded as a normal bodily response. However, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety is regarded as a mental disorder when it becomes characterized by worry, tension and physical changes such as elevated blood pressure. When you experience excessive anxiety, you have the option of conventional medical intervention or other alternative therapy to help you cope with anxiety and live a normal life. This article will help you understand the health benefits of a good dose of anxiety as well as signs to observe to know when anxiety has become a mental disorder. In addition to this, various useful tips will be offered to show you natural alternative ways to help you enjoy a healthy life even when you experience an anxiety disorder.

The Healthy Aspect Of Anxiety

Since the beginning of time, the human body has always devised several reactive mechanisms when it senses danger approaching. These defense mechanisms may come in form of heart palpitations or increased sweating. This is due to the sudden surge in adrenaline which is a hormone that is responsible for the fight or flight response in humans.

This means that in the presence of this hormone, the human brain activates a signal for you to either run away from potential danger or for you to engage in a physical confrontation.

In modern times, humans face anxiety with regards to various daily life issues such as health, social, monetary and work-related issues. These important life-related issues also cause a surge in adrenaline and again you are presented with the fight or flight response as a natural way to deal with such life events encountered.

Therefore, the healthy aspect of a little dose of anxiety is that sometimes it aids in our day to day survival as humans.

Adverse Effects Of Anxiety

Without a good therapy of ideas on how to cope with anxiety, it can cause a whole lot of health challenges over time. Below are some of the health challenges that can be experienced with persistent and long term anxiety.

1. Increased Risk Of Cardiovascular Diseases: The increased heartbeats, chest pain, and heart palpitations that occur in the presence of anxiety can double your risk of heart disease or increase its effects if you have a history of heart disease.
2. Affects The Central Nervous System: Long-term anxiety attacks exposes your body to stress hormones that will be released in your body. These hormones, in turn, cause you to experience symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, and constant headaches.
3. Affects The Respiratory System: When you do not learn to cope with anxiety, over time you may suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) due to long term anxiety attacks.

Other long term effects of anxiety include; a lack of sleep, depression, headaches and so on.

Ways To Cope With Anxiety

There are various ways you can cope with anxiety so that it does not pose a health risk to you. Stated below are some of the best ways you can learn to deal with anxiety so as to enjoy a more healthy life.

1. Take A Deep Breath: This is one major way to cope with anxiety. When you stop to take a deep breath, you tend to have a clearer thought about what might be causing your anxiety, you also regain confidence and balance. This way anxiety loses its grip on you.
2. Handle The Situation or Forget it: Whenever life presents a situation that may cause you to have raised anxiety levels, you are also presented with the option to either face the situation or let it pass. Understanding this aspect of life offers you a brighter chance and idea of how to cope with anxiety.
3. Engage In Activities That Can Distract You: When you engage in creative activities such as painting and drawing, doing some chores, reading a book and so on, your mind begins to relax more rather than feel anxious.
4. Try Meditation: Meditation has shown over time to offer relief as well as help the muscles and mind to relax. Therefore engaging in regular meditation is a great way to cope with anxiety.
5. Take A Walk: Walking is a well-known form of stress relief. In the case of anxiety, taking a walk either alone or in the company of someone else or your pet can be a good way to keep your anxiety levels under control.

 In Conclusion,

Although anxiety can seem like a healthy response from the body, it can also cause severe health conditions, either chronic or acute. Therefore, it is recommended that you always look for positive ways to cope with anxiety. However, in a situation where you feel you cannot deal with the feelings of anxiety alone, seeking the medical intervention of a psychiatrist, psychologist, physician or a therapist may be of great help. They may offer you medications that will help to reduce your anxiety levels, offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or other forms of therapy that will be beneficial in helping you deal with anxiety.