STRESSING OUT

By Sara Kesler, Manatee Glens Counseling Center

We live in an incredibly fast-paced society. Most Americans are constantly on the go, facing deadline after deadline or having to attack long lists of errands and tasks. Thanks to our high level of technology, we have become masters of multitasking. People can spend lots of time in traffic, yet still conduct business on their cell phones or PDAs . 

Too often, it seems impossible to pencil in time for daily rest and relaxation because there just aren’t enough hours in the day.  Little wonder that we find ourselves having to endure consistently high levels of stress.  Not surprisingly, anxiety disorders are the most commonly occurring mental disorders in the United States.

The treatment options vary for someone suffering from anxiety. One is the use of medication. Many anti-anxiety medications work by increasing the ability of some chemicals in our brain to work more effectively against stress. These chemicals help us to relax and calm ourselves and can produce a sensation similar to the effects of a good massage.  However, they also carry an addictive potential similar to that of alcohol and should therefore be used only under the close supervision of a physician. In addition, with extended use of these medications, a person may face increased stress when he or she stops taking the medication. It’s encouraging to know that some of the newer medications work with other brain chemicals to treat both anxiety and depression. These treatments have less addictive potential and are less likely to increase anxiety when they are stopped.

Those who prefer alternatives to pharmaceuticals may be interested in knowing that a few herbal options are available. These include Kava and Chamomile, which  have been used to treat anxiety and tension. Other herbs such as Valerian can also be beneficial in reducing stress. Just as with prescribed medications, however, pregnant women and people taking other prescriptions must consult their physician before trying any herbal remedies.

Some of us would rather take anything internally, whether prescribed medications or herbal remedies. We may obtain good results with several therapeutic interventions that have been shown to reduce anxiety. A mental health professional can provide information regarding these therapies.

Those of us who don’t have time to devote to psychotherapy and don’t want to take pharmaceuticals or herbal medications can still use other means to reduce our stress and anxiety levels. One is exercise, which also contributes to maintaining a healthy heart. Formal deep breathing exercises are also helpful. Yoga, too, is a great stress reliever. Yoga classes are usually available in the community, while videotaped routines help us to achieve a level of relaxation without even leaving home. Decreasing caffeine consumption can also help us to lower stress.

Stress and anxiety are rather common, but they don’t have to overshadow our daily lives.