Dealing with anxiety symptoms

[twobone]

Had some emotional trauma 10 years ago. Life back to normal

However, I now seem to have a diminished capability to physically manage mild stress.

I find that even mild work stress creates dizziness and periodic high blood pressure. This can persist for days after the work stress is gone

I think that my body/brain subconscious stress management system now jumps into high gear with little provocation.

Mentally, I don't freak out, its just seems my body disagrees with my conscious self and sets off a false alarm.

I'm not interested in medication, just looking for suggestions on strategies to diffuse the physical manifestations of stress.

Stress kills and I don't want my adrenal glands to end up giving me a hear attack or stroke.

Quitting my job is not reasonable, because every job has some level of stress.

Scotch and hookers is also not a great suggestion
Medical marijuana might make work interesting, but I think my perma-smile might raise a few eyebrows!

[widgeon13]

Do you exercise much, that is always helpful from my perspective.

Yoga is also good for stress relief.

[look 171]

Try to get some exercise in and see if that will take the edge off. I normally go out for a long bike ride and try and ride myself into the ground. It help with blood pressure. during the ride, all the stresses are gone and they don't come back for some time.

[oldE]

A young fellow I know almost ended up in the hospital a few years ago, until one Doc who was brighter than the rest suggested sessions with a Psychiatrist.
His heart palpitations, weakness, etc. were panic attacks, brought on by stress at work.

Five years later, he has started over, with help from his family. His current lady understands his difficulties, so that helps.
Big thing for him was professional help.

It is tough for some to deal with because it usually doesn't manifest physical symptoms and people around you have trouble accepting anything is wrong.

Best of luck.
Les

[Embraer]

I have a stressful job. Some say one of the most stressful. Physical activity, particularly long cardio sessions, 6 days a week, mitigates stress in my life.

[Z-man]

Stress Management
Picture yourself near a stream.

Birds are singing in the crisp, cool mountain air.

Nothing can bother you here.

No one knows this secret place.

You are in total seclusion from that place called the world.

The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

The water is clear.

You can easily make out the face of the person whose head you're holding under the water.

There now, feeling better?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In all seriousness -- work can be stressful. I work in corporate America and the stress can be all consuming. We work so we can get paid, so we can relax and enjoy life. If working is preventing you from enjoying life -- that's a problem. While we need money to survive (and enjoy life), sometimes putting it in the right perspective helps you deal with the stress. They talk about a work-life balance. Unfortunately, too many people translate that into a work-work life balance, which equates to no balance at all.

My wife and I are both workaholics. This is a problem for us -- we both get home late, and our minds are jelly at the end of a stressful day. We are in the process of learning how to change our perspective -- in 10-15 years, even if I am still working for my company -- will the extra effort I made TODAY really have a tremendous impact on my workplace environment? On the other hand, in 10-15 years, will I regret the time I lost with my wife because of work? You bet. If my wife is more important than my work, I need to be able to show that with my actions. And if my actions show this, then the stress of work gets put into a better perspective.

Food for thought.
-Z-man.

[twobone]

I will ramp up my trips to the gym

[june82000]

Originally Posted by twobone

Quitting my job is not reasonable, because every job has some level of stress.

Simple - What are some things that you enjoy doing, but do not cause you stress? Find a way to make a living doing those things.

[twobone]

Z-man....that was beautiful. LOL.

I'm only 6 years from retirement with a good pension so I need to hang in there, but I also need to make sure that 6 years of work does not take 15 years off my life expectancy!

[Schrup]

I doubt pot will help, it doesn't help mine. I have tried several things, exercise seems to works best. I started to use probiotics a couple months back, if nothing else it's a great placebo. I had major emotional trama a couple years back & got professional help to get through it, he gave me a couple of tools to help with crisis.

Mostly it is what it is, I try to see it a positive & use it to keep busy & motivated. There is no medication that works for me, I've tried several.

[Evans, Marv]

I agree with those who suggest physical exercise and Les who suggests professional help. I had an elementary school friend who grew up in a alcoholic home with lots of physical violence. At the high school where he taught, he also coached cross country & ran many miles a week year round, so always exercised a lot. In late middle age, he started to become unglued. He couldn't figure out what was wrong, nor could any of his family. He sought professional help and found out it was the result of stresses in his early life he had suppressed for so long, and were only then manifesting themselves. Years later, he's making it OK but had left his wife and is still a bit confused. I think getting professional help to aid in managing the situation is important.

[gacook]

As mentioned, exercise. Also, as you notice the stress coming on, do some breathing exercises. Take 3-5 minutes and just sit there taking deep, cleansing breaths--4 seconds inhale through the nose, 8 seconds exhale through the mouth. Try to work on developing a Stop/Start process. Meaning, as you feel something (a thought typically) beginning to stress you out, simply STOP thinking it. Then start thinking of it from a positive light.

These simple little things really can help.

[HHI944]

Klonopin

[Mark Henry]

I also say exercise, but I'd go one further and suggest a martial art like Karate. Once you're into it it clears the mind.
I can get you info on a real good Dojo in you area if you were interested. You don't have to hurt yourself overdoing it and it's not one of the crazy cult types.

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally Posted by HHI944

Klonopin

Horrible suggestion.

[NY65912]

Originally Posted by HHI944

Klonopin

+1000

It is a drug, but I don't care, it works. I only take it as needed. My productivity and ability to do things I would have avoided is back to normal.

[twobone]

thanks Mark, the name can't hurt. Please PM me

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Z-man

They talk about a work-life balance.

Had a manager here (not mine) who went on record saying "You can choose to have a work-life balance, or you can choose to be successful."

I have no further comment.

[dan88911]

My 2 cents. in general exercise works for me it's a regular part of my life style.
And I agree with what gacook said. I read some were that navy seals take a few deep coming breaths.
Don't now for sure about that maybe some of our military members will weight in.
Some times I just ask myself what's the worse that could happen. The question gives me perspective. "Don't sweat the small stuff it is all small stuff"

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Yoga is also good for stress relief.

This is the first thing I thought of... I used to meditate and do Yoga and all that stuff... then I got married.

Need to get back into that stuff.