Anxiety

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ANXIETY

Anxiety is often confused wit fear. The difference is that with fear, you know what's scaring you-something specific like and angry dog or some othre clear and present danger. As unpleasant emotions go, anxiety is the sketchchiest.

Try these:

Remember to breathe

When you're anxious, you tend to hold your breathe too shallowly. That makes you feel more anxious. Breathing slowly and deeply can have a calming effect. To make sure that you're breathing correctly, place your hand on your diaphragm, just below your rib cage. Feel it rise with each inhalation and fall with each exhalation.

Analyze and Act

The antiode to anxiety is analysis and action. To rid yourself of that vague sense of dread, you have to figure out exactly what it is that you dread. Then you can map a plan of action to do something about it. Usually the first step in this action plan is to find out more about the problem.

Meditate

Maybe you're just high-strung. If so, meditation is worth a try. It cultivates a calmness that eases anxious feelings and offers a sense of control."People who are high-strung find that they are dramatically calmer with 20 minutes of meditation in the morning and another 20 minutes after dinner.

Jog, walk, swim or cycle

If you can't make time for meditation, be sure to make time for regular exercise. Exercise can have the same calming effect as meditation, particularly if its something repetitive like running or swimming laps.