Fit For Health Guide

We all suffer from stress and anxiety at some point in our lives. 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorders, including panic disorders, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorders while another 35 million people with anxiety suffer mild to moderate symptoms.

Luckily, you CAN turn things around by discovering methods of dealing with your stress and anxiety naturally, helping you feel like a new person in just a few days!

On average, 70% of all people with a general anxiety disorder will consult with more than 10 physicians before the cause of their symptoms is accurately diagnosed. A recent study at Harvard Medical School reported that patients who cope poorly with stress become ill four times more often than those with good coping skills.

If you are not sure if you suffer from a general anxiety disorder, the following is a list of the most frequent signs of anxiety. They are: trembling, rapid heartbeat, lump in throat, frozen smile,neck-aches, indigestion, insomnia, overeating, preoccupation with illness, fear of embarrassment or rejection, and fear of being ugly or fat.

Have you ever experienced any of these? If so, do not worry. We all go through stress at some point in our lives. As long as you don’t have these feelings on a daily or weekly basis, you are probably fine. If you do experience a good portion of these signs of anxiety, read through the list below for strategies to developing inner peace.

Movement- Physical activity helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Walking is especially good for anxiety. Try not to push yourself to the point where it is unpleasant…if you are straining or pushing yourself to hard, it will not be as beneficial in reducing anxiety.

Relax- Scientific studies have shown that when viewing natural landscapes (sky, trees, greenery, water or flowers) people tend to feel more relaxed and less anxious. Remember, you deserve to enjoy your life and there is no reason to feel guilty about relaxing!

Eat right- It’s important to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Balancing the diet helps to balance the levels of neurotransmitters involved in keeping stress and depression in check.

Take charge- A major cause of anxiety is the feeling of a lack of control. Helplessness is a huge component in depression and anxiety. It is a good idea to ask yourself questions like, “Why am I doing this?” or “Do I have to do this?” or “Will the world end if I do not?” Most importantly, do not be afraid to say “no” if you feel uncomfortable about something.

Take inventory on what causes you anxiety. Take the anxiety test I found in Natural Health magazine below.

0= no anxiety 1= mild anxiety 2= moderate anxiety 3= severe anxiety

____ confronting a loved one about a problem ____ making a major purchase or investment ____ making a mistake, failing ____ being seen naked or in a bathing suit ____ sexual preference ____ keeping things neat and orderly ____ heavy commuter traffic ____ deadlines, evaluations or tests ____ financial obligations, unpaid bills ____ feeling stared at ____ going to a public restroom ____ being criticized ____ talking to people in authority ____ the sight of blood ____ socializing at a party ____ giving or receiving a gift ____ making cold calls at work ____ being on time for appointments or events ____ packing for a trip ____ waiting in line ____ being in enclosed places ____ eating along in a restaurant ____ speaking to a group ____ taking a business call ____ the thought of death ____ being in a crowd ____ entering the elevator ____ going in an airplane ____ driving a car ____ going to a doctor or dentist ____ going to sleep or waking up ____ coming home to an empty house ____ rejection in love or at work

Add your score up. Which category do you fall in?

0-19: you have no to mild anxiety. 20-39: mild to moderate anxiety 40-59: moderate anxiety 60 and over: a possible anxiety disorder

If indeed you suspect that you suffer from a general anxiety disorder, please consult your physician. You can also try taking Kava or Siberian Ginseng supplements to help relax you. I also recommend reading Psycho-Cybernetics by Walter Maltz. This incredibly life-changing book discusses the power our mind has on our self-image and happiness.

Anxiety and stress are very real components in our lives. It is amazing how much they wear on our body, not to mention our mental health. If you experience high levels of stress or general anxiety, get it under control as soon as possible. See your physician and begin to take inventory of your life. You are important, so take care of yourself!

About The Author:

Colleen is a health and fitness enthusiast who loves to pass on the latest information on health and wellness. Sign up for your free e-newsletter filled with cutting-edge information on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness. For your free e-newsletter, visit http://www.HealthyRevelations.com.

There are many ways to stop panic attack. If you are anxious about how you could put an end to such an embarrassing and alarming situation, it would be appropriate if you would be reminded that indeed, you could do something to alleviate the disadvantages and setbacks you encounter by the inconvenient disorder. Stop panic attack and have and live a more normal life.

If you are aiming to put an end to panic attack, you should do the necessary measures right away. Stop panic attack and live your life fully. If you are anxious and worrisome that you know nothing about the endeavor, read on and discover practical ways on how you could stop panic attack.

A panic attack is borne mentally. In some form, the situation can be classified as a form of mental disorder. But do not get it wrong. A panic attack is not at all leading and directly related to insanity. A patient r sufferer from a panic attack may seem like he or she is going crazy and uncontrollable. Understand that a panic attack is a product of too much anxiety and fear taking over one’s overall personality. Stop panic attack by observing the following.

Control yourself

First, if you suspect you are having an episode of panic attack, hold control of yourself. Paranoia and extreme fear is part of the manifestations of panic attack. In most cases, patients feel breathless, restless and really tense. At its worse, panic attack often induces a feeling as if death is near. Thus, there is extreme and further fear. In such cases, overall relaxation and self assurance would be necessary. Stop panic attack from further doing harm to yourself by relaxing at the onset of an attack. Meditate, practice quietness and simply relax.

A panic attack may last a few minutes to as long as several hours. To ensure yourself, it would help if you would seek medical and expert help. Doing so is not just ensuring safety but is also psychologically giving assurance that everything will be alright. Often, panic attack patients mistake their attacks for something else, probably a heart attack. This suspicion might further affect and worsen the condition. If an expert or doctor would give assurance that the condition is only panic attack, the patient may be more assured that everything is controllable.

Medications and therapies

There are also certain prescribed medications that will instantly prompt treatment. You could abruptly stop panic attack by taking in prescribed medicines, usually depressants, like serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazpines and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Such depressants help lower the rapid heart beat that is greatly contributing to further onset and possible setbacks of panic attacks.

Also, stop panic attacks by avoiding alcohol, illicit drugs and most especially coffee, especially when there is already an onset of the episode. Some people commit the error of taking in such substances at the appearance of initial symptoms of panic attack, wrongly thinking that hot coffee, for example, can relax and warmth the system. Well, now you know the opposite happens.

Another good way to stop panic attack is by taking psychotherapy. Because the number of panic attack cases is rapidly rising all over the world, there are many psychologists and psychiatrists who are practicing activities to control and curtail panic attacks. Stop panic attack by subjecting yourself from such therapies, which have already been proven to be very helpful.

Most of all, the most effective means to stop panic attack is by taking a better grasp and control of yourself. If you could control your fears and anxieties, you are most likely to stop panic attack alone. Remember that medications and therapies would render futile if you would not seek to help yourself most of all.

About the Author:

For more help on how to stop panic attacks for good, visit http://www.instant-panic-cure.com

There are few among us who can admit that the craziness of everyday life has not resulted in feeling stress at some point or another. With juggling family life with ever-increasing work responsibilities the pressure to keep up with demanding schedules are at an all-time high. For many of us, this means battling stress that can sometimes take over our day causing us physical and emotional ramifications that can affect our overall health. In an effort to battle this stress, some turn to mediations to ease their symptoms and keep their thoughts focused. But for others, a commitment to natural stress relief can mean tackling stress without a dependency on pills.

Natural stress relief comes in many forms and what must first be understood is that what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Just as our stress differs, so does the ways in which we relieve it. But it is rare that one form or another of natural stress relief will not work for someone. The key is to make yourself a priority and take care of yourself – even if it’s just fifteen minutes a day. But for some, keeping that commitment can be a lot more difficult than it sounds.

Most often, a holistic approach is the best form of natural stress relief. This many include a periodic massage. Massage has been shown to reduce stress, lower heart rate, and even lower blood pressure. Make a standing appointment for a massage – whatever variety most appeals to you – at least once a month. This may sound like an extravagant luxury but how much does a massage cost in comparison to the cost of ongoing medication?

Exercise has also been shown to be a significant form of natural stress relief. Sometimes, just simply turning off the day and focusing on yourself for an hour can make all the difference in the world. Not only does exercise benefit you physically but it benefits you emotionally as well; this comes from the release of worries while you also release adrenalin and endorphins – natural hormones that reduce stress and ease the body.

For others, meditation fits the bill when it comes to natural stress relief. Taking a moment – or several minutes – in which you sit quietly with your own thoughts, and nothing else, can be enormously relaxing. Of course, meditation is actually a learned skill so in order to learn how to clear you mind you may need some initial instruction.

Additionally, some people find that acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and chiropractic work all help in alleviating stress. Ultimately it is up to you to find the thing that brings you comfort and joy and provides you with a reprieve from the outside world.

About The Author:

For easy to understand, in depth information about natural stress relief visit our ezGuide 2 http://stressrelief.ezguide2.com

Do scantily-clad media icons impact girls’ body image? Researchers are finding that what girls see on the pages of their favorite magazines and what they see dancing in front of them in music videos can affect how they feel. Why? These media outlets paint an unrealistic picture of what a girl’s body should look like and these everyday girls aren’t fitting the bill.

Do magazine models influence the body esteem of girls?

In a 2007 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers from the University of Minnesota suggest that when teen girls read articles about diet and weight loss, it could have unhealthy consequences years later.

Magazines feature impossibly thin supermodels next to “back-to-school” diet plans and tips for getting your body into “bikini-bearing” shape. Cover headlines scream; “50 Shortcuts to a Sexier Body” (Glamour) or “6 Ways to Thin — Easy Diets That Really Work” (Allure)

Articles might say “Embrace your curves” but the retouched photos of ultra thin models tell a different story. Suffice to say, some advertisers have their hands in more than one cookie jar.

Who was in the study? Over 2500 middle school students that were surveyed, weighed and measured in 1999 and again in 2004. About 55% of the participants were girls.

The Scoop: Adolescent girls who frequently read magazine articles that featured articles about dieting were more likely five years later to engage in extreme weight-loss practices such as vomiting than girls who never read such articles. This result was not influenced by whether the girls were considered “overweight” by medical standards or if the girls believed weight to be important to them.

Middle school girls who read articles about dieting (compared to those who did not read such articles) were twice as likely to try to lose weight 5 years later by fasting or smoking cigarettes. These girls were also three times more likely to use extreme weight loss practices such as taking laxatives or vomiting to lose weight.

“Forty-one percent of adolescent females report that magazines are their most important source of information on dieting and health, and 61 percent of adolescent females read at least one fashion magazine regularly,” ‘Eric Stice, Ph.D

The problem: Girls are being duped, but they don’t know it. Studies show that the average fashion model is much taller than the average woman—but weighs about 23% (one-fifth) less. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, while the average woman is 5′4″ tall and weighs 140 pounds, the average model is 5′11″ and weighs 117 pounds. On top of already being think, advertisers and publishers use retouching techniques to make models seem even thinner and taller.

Note: Other studies have found that 69% of girls feel that magazine models influence their idea of the perfect shape (Field et al). Other statistics show similar body image problems, such as

–the modeling industry standards suggest women should have waists no larger than 25″ and hips no larger than 35 1/2 inches, they also recommend measurements of 34-24-34;

–women’s magazines have 10.5 times more ads and articles about weight loss then do men’s magazines;

–60%+ of college students feel worse after reading magazines;

–changes found in magazines between 1970 and 1990 include increase emphasis on fitness for attractiveness and a decrease in the model hip to waist ratio (becoming less curvy);

–1 out of every 3.8 commercials sends a message about attractiveness;

–the average person sees between 400-600 ads per day;

–7 of 10 girls say that they want to look like a character on TV

Do music video models make an impact on girls’ body image?

Researchers from the University of Sussex, leader by Dr Helga Dittmar, found that the use of ultra-thin models in music videos can lead girls to develop poor body image. The article was published in the Journal of Body Image.

Who was in the study? 87 girls ages 16-19 years were put in random groups. A third watched music videos featuring the Pussycat Dolls and Girls Aloud, known for being thin and attractive. Another third listened but did not watch the music videos. The final groups was asked only to learn a list of neutral words. All three groups were asked questions that asked them to recall what they heard or watched. Answers measured levels of self esteem, body satisfaction and mood.

The Scoop: After just 10 minutes of exposure, the researchers found that the groups that had watched the music videos with the thin, attractive stars, exhibited the largest increase in body dissatisfaction in comparison to those who simply listed to the songs of completed the memory task with the neutral words. In addition, and perhaps the most troubling, it did not matter whether the girls had high or low self esteem to begin with—they were all equally affected.

The Problem: Girls look to these music video icons as what they should aspire to be. Seeing very thin celebrities can make the girls feel “less then” and make them wonder how they can ever look like their heroes. Girls are tending towards dieting, poor eating, and other more extreme weight loss behaviors.

Media is all around us. We see it everyday even when we don’t seek it out. The portrayal of very thin models, actresses, singers, and entertainers does indeed have an impact on the ways girls see themselves and their bodies.

About the Author:

Known as “The Character Queen,” Dr. Robyn Silverman is a body image coach and parenting expert. Her tips-based style makes her a favorite among parents and teachers. She’s the creator of the Powerful Words Character Toolkit, a character education system used in children’s programs. For more information or to contact Dr. Robyn, visit her Parenting Blog at http://www.DrRobynsBlog.com or her body image blog; http://www.KissMyAssets.Wordpress.com

The history of happiness didn’t begin just a few years ago. It wasn’t even a couple of thousand years ago that it began. No one knows the exact time that happiness was first experienced but it is often estimated that happiness began several thousand years ago because of the earliest writings that have been handed down through history. As early as 5,000 BC there are sacred texts known as the Vedas which were written by great sages and which explain the way to find true happiness in life. The Vedas have been the source of the Hindu religion for thousands of years and were even studied by the Buddha himself. What is certain is that happiness has come along with the existence of life itself and only the Supreme Being knows for sure when it all began.

Although nothing is for sure concerning happiness and the history of its origins, we know that there is a sense of happiness that differentiates itself from the material happiness that many people seek out in modern times. Spiritual happiness is something that still lies deep within us and necessarily depends on the perception of the individual who decides whether they want to pursue this or not. Different people can become happy in different ways and there are many spiritual traditions from the Greek to the modern day Islamic traditions which all help people to find the happiness that they are searching for in life.

The history of happiness may vary according to different people but one thing seems to be true, people learn by experience and through mistakes. In many cases, older people actually tend to be happier than younger people because of the fact that they have experienced life already and have learned from their mistakes. They have tried a variety of approaches in life and learned to be successful according to what they do. They have failed at times, yes, but they also learned to stand up and face the world again. This historical experience, for them, has contributed to their ability to be happy and to find the real source of happiness which is actually coming from inside themselves. They may have committed mistakes but they are still here, loving and being loved by the others around them.

A story about happiness may help to illustrate the way history plays such an important role in how we learn to be happier in our lives. There was once a young boy and an apple tree who were friends. The boy would always swing from the branches of the tree, climb all over it, eat the apples and sleet under the tree. These were such happy days but, when the boy got older, he spent less time with the tree and the man only became interested in money. The tree said, “Take my apples and sell them, these will give you lots of money.” The man did so and the tree was happy. The tree did not see the man for a long time after that. The man grew older, tired of the world and wanted to get away from it. When the tree saw the old man, it said, “Cut a large trunk out of me and make a boat, it will send you off to different places.” The man did so and the tree was happy. The tree waited again until the time the man, its true friend, would return. Finally, the old man returned but he was too old to play and too tired to pursue any more wealth. The tree said, “Why don’t you just sit down and rest in my shade?” The man did so and the tree was happy.

The story can be understood such that we see ourselves growing older and recognizing that there are trees in our lives which give and are willing to give more and more even if it means releasing a part of themselves to us. Just how many trees in our lives would help us achieve our individual goals and reach our satisfaction in life depends upon us and what we really need to be happy. How many times in life do we take simple things like “shade” for granted? This reflection may help us realize that it may not be the trees in our lives that bring us happiness but the way we relate to them and take advantage of their gifts. It may be that we need very little in life but it takes us an entire lifetime to realize this simple fact. This may be what history is also showing us and something that, hopefully, many people will recognize sooner rather than later.

About The Author:

Gary Miller was the World’s Leading expert on Negative Thinking until he lost approximately $3 Million Dollars because of a lifetime of negative thinking. To learn more about his Journey to a Positive Thinking Recovery and weekly FREE Positive Thinking techniques, you can visit his web site at: http://www.positivethinkingnow.com

The level of stress is rising. The types of stress are ever on increase. Grace, the mad race for secular comforts is the outcome of the materialistic civilization. Stress has become like a cobweb. You are caught into it, you want to come out of it, but do not know how to go about it.

If you have a stress sharing partner around you, may be your spouse, your best friend, a trusted relative, an understanding neighbor, they become your stress management teachers. They may share their experiences with you or silently listen to you. That will unburden your mind, and help you become a level-headed personality again.

At different levels of life, many kinds of stress bother you. Students for example, find it difficult to get over the stress of studies and periodic examinations. The load of homework gives them a lot of stress. Therefore, efforts have been made to identify the areas of stress and find out suitable remedies to meet them. Study done under stress is not likely to fructify; study done under an encouraging atmosphere makes the student a cheerful personality, and he will remember with fondness his student life, as he advances into the mainstream of life.

These days, as stress management has become a part and parcel of any professional course- small or big, certain courses have also been devised for the same. It is assumed that stress would be a part of any career, be it medical, engineering, computer or defense services. Stress management courses are taught even at the high school level to make the students tough and competitive.

The stress management teachers teach the fundamentals of stress. What it is and how to control it. An operational definition is taught. “When negative tendencies get an upper hand in your personality, you are under stress. When positive tendencies call the shots, you are naturally happy.” There are several theories of stress. To quote a few: Person, Environmental Fit Model, Demand, Control Model, Effort, Reward Model and Fight, and Flight Model.

Sources of stress are taught in detail by the stress management teachers. The subjects mostly covered in this area are, Mind-Body Dichotomy, Psycho Cybermetics and Stress, Areas of Freedom, Job Content, Work Organization, Lack of Feed Back and Social Isolation.

Stress Management teachers can only give you indications and guidelines in theory. Your stress is your property- you have to liquidate it well in time with your grit and will power!

About The Author:

The author writes about a number of different topics. For more information on stress management visit http://www.aboutstressmanagement.com/stressrelief/

It’s a beautiful day in Yellowstone National Park. You emerge from your tent into the morning sunlight, a gentle breeze delighting your senses. As you prepare breakfast over the camp stove, you notice a movement out of the corner of your eye. It’s a bear! Your heart starts to pound, your blood pressure goes up, your breath accelerates, and your digestion turns down. This is the normal and appropriate physiological response of your body dispensing the stress hormones you need to prepare the body to “fight-or flight.”

This well-documented biological event is the response shared by humans and animals and is extremely helpful when the individual faces physical danger. If the problem can be solved by “fighting,” taking action to scare the bear away, or by “flight,” running away so fast the bear can’t harm you, the solution itself dissipates the stress and bodily functions return to normal. When stress is caused by a problem, situation, or condition that can’t be solved through such a response, the impact extends for a longer period and upsets the Triad of Health.

When the body is physically, chemically, or emotionally overloaded, it causes a state of alarm that sets off a complex interaction called the stress cycle. Research scientist and medical doctor Hans Selye introduced the concept of stress in the 1930s. He showed that a variety of chemical changes accompany stress and proved that a stress reaction results from excess physical, chemical, or emotional pressure.

Selye also delineated the four phases of stress: 1. Alarm 2. Adaptation 3. Fatigue/exhaustion 4. Death

The alarm stage starts when the brain activates the sympathetic nervous system to stimulate the adrenal glands to release norepinephrine and adrenaline. Cortisol is also secreted from the adrenals. One of its functions is to stimulate the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, which is sugar, to be used for energy.

When the same stress is repeated frequently, our bodies adapt and respond less intensely. However, this adaptation lowers our tolerance for new stress. So, we may adapt to caffeine, sugar, alcohol and nicotine, yet then we become less able to tolerate emotional or physical stress. We become so desensitized to stress that symptoms become chronic and are taken as normal. For example, stomach bloating, gas and hiccups are all symptoms of not digesting properly, yet we are led to believe by advertisements that this is not unusual, actually it is common and that simply taking an antacid will take care of it. This does not address the cause, but simply masks the symptom. However, one can never treat enough symptoms to correct the cause. Repeated adaptation leads to the third phase of stress - fatigue and exhaustion. Here the autonomic nervous system comes into play. The autonomic nervous system has two parts:

1. The parasympathetic nervous system ‘ the part that heals us when we rest. 2. The sympathetic nervous system ‘ the “fight-or-flight” reaction - when this system is under attack from a stressor, it turns down the immune system and increases the chances of getting diseases. Lowered resistance invites disease.

Selye discovered and documented that stress differs from other physical responses in that stress is stressful whether one receives good or bad news, whether the impulse is positive or negative. Thus, it is not the event itself, but our reaction to the stress that harms us.

About the Author:

Dr. Michael B. Roth has been a holistic chiropractor for 23 years. His goal is to transform the health care system from crisis/reactive care to a wellness model of health. Dr. Roth is a dynamic speaker on health and wellness who can motivate and transform your audience and you to bring your own health and well-being to a new level!

Many inspirational books and personality development materials are available in different bookstores to encourage each individual to take the first step towards spiritual enlightenment, development and growth. It is true that finding peace within yourself can open a path in your heart and soul to give way to ultimate joy and happiness. The steps in achieving this are tackled in many books and discussed chapter by chapter so as to ensure the reader a successful attempt in spiritual renewal. Many people have taken these steps to be transformed by retreating into spiritual lives and turning their lives 360 degrees around from the bad influences to the more inspiring and motivating ones.

Finding true happiness is essential, not only for our own personal development, but for our relationship with others. This is one of our ethical responsibilities as human beings because, as the highest form of creature on earth, we are capable of thinking and finding solutions to our problems. We are intelligent enough to develop the latest technologies and we have the abilities to comprehend the smallest details of the most complicated things on our planet. How much more capable must we be to find our own inner happiness! With this as the case, we should certainly be responsible with our actions and our relationships with other people to find true happiness and a better life. As a matter of fact, surveys have shown that unhappy people tend to be more self-centered, socially withdrawn, angry, antagonistic and pessimistic while happy people tend to be the exact opposite. In addition, happy people tend to be very approachable and are always ready to help someone when they can.

Although finding about spiritual fulfillment is that it makes a person happier in general. There are many things in life that are taken for granted when your attitude is not right but, when they are viewed in the correct way, they can make us very happy. During the era of Greek civilization, computers, transportation and other hi-tech machinery were not yet available. The people during those days were living a simple life yet they were still quite happy. Everything we have now is part of a more developed world but it is often a world full of criticism, deadly competition and the “outwitting” of one another as an important tactic to gain more wealth and success. Does this bring true happiness? Obviously the answer is “No”. We are often forgetting the essence of living and a good life which is centered in spiritual values. Our necessities are really all in our minds and the truth is that we can live our lives even without a simple luxury or modern technology if we have to.

Many other people believe that their way of finding true happiness is simply by finding true love. Being romantically attached and intimate with the opposite sex gives us a feeling of satisfaction because, deep within our hearts, we feel that a space can be filled up by somebody who is very dear to us. Human beings are emotional and sentimental but studies have shown that oftentimes people lose that initial “spark” that they feel for someone else and a deeper commitment is needed to find the true source of love within themselves. People who are romantically in love do tend to be generally nice, approachable, carefree, responsible and have a peace of mind but this also tends to come from a deeper source inside themselves that is only projected outward onto the romantic relationship that they were blessed enough to find. What about you? Have you found your true happiness? Think about it and try to find a way to find it inside of yourself. If you do, you will surely project it out onto the world and find yourself acting as the very creator of the happiness you had sought for so long.

About The Author:

Gary Miller was the World’s Leading expert on Negative Thinking until he lost approximately $3 Million Dollars because of a lifetime of negative thinking. To learn more about his Journey to a Positive Thinking Recovery and weekly FREE Positive Thinking techniques, you can visit his web site at: http://www.positivethinkingnow.com