Category: anxiety
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DO STUDY PREPARATION STRATEGIES HELP REDUCE TEST ANXIETY?
Students grappling with test anxiety often find themselves struggling to focus during exams and encounter difficulties in adequately preparing for their assessments. This pervasive issue can lead to a range of detrimental consequences, such as extended study periods, higher dropout rates at the university level, poor performance in exams, and even adverse physical and psychological…
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DO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ALSO EXPERIENCE MATH ANXIETY
Math anxiety is a well-recognized psychological phenomenon that significantly affects individuals’ performance in mathematics and their willingness to engage with math-related tasks. This phenomenon is characterized by a heightened fear or apprehension towards mathematics, which often leads to math failure and the avoidance of math-related activities. Moreover, in severe cases of math anxiety, the mere…
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DO YOU HAVE HIGH PHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL? LOWER IT WITH THESE PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES.
LEVEL 0 BREATH HOLD:Sitting down with eyes closed, hold your breath for as long as you can without exerting too much pressure. When you cannot hold it anymore, exhale a big burst of air. Keeping your eyes closes, pay close attention to the sensations in your body. Scan your entire body and notice what has…
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OXIDATIVE STRESS: UNMASKING THE ANXIETY CONNECTION
The human brain, with its voracious appetite for oxygen, is exceptionally vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its modest antioxidant defenses and lipid-rich composition. Recent studies have unveiled a compelling connection between oxidative stress and anxiety disorders, shedding light on the intricate role of neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin in anxiety regulation. One notable revelation…
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CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)-INDUCED PANIC ATTACKS: A BREATH OF INSIGHT INTO PANIC DISORDER
~ Carbon dioxide (CO2) studies reveal insights into panic disorder (PD). ~ Breathing in 5% or inhaling 35% CO2 can trigger panic attacks more often in PD individuals. ~ PD patients describe these CO2-induced panic attacks as similar to their regular ones. This suggests a link between PD and aberrant respiratory responses. ~ Cognitive factors…
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TAI CHI MEDITATION TECHNIQUES
Also called meditation in motion, Tai Chi is a set of meditation techniques that can be practiced just about anywhere. You can learn via instructional videos or take classes. Below is a sample of Tai Chi meditation exercises based on the article written by E.C. LaMeaux for Gaiam (https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/4-tai-chi-meditation-techniques ). STANDING MEDITATION TECHNIQUE Stand…
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A CLOSER EXAMINATION OF MUSCLE TENSION IN GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and persistent worry that can be overwhelming and uncontrollable. Among the hallmark features of this disorder are the myriad somatic symptoms that often accompany the psychological distress. These symptoms include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and disrupted sleep patterns. Among these, muscle tension stands out…
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WHY DO CERTAIN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HIGH ANXIETY IN SOCIAL SETTINGS?
In the realm of human interactions, social encounters can trigger varying degrees of nervousness. This phenomenon often puzzles us, especially when considering individuals with seemingly poor social skills or harboring negative self-evaluations. Shedding light on this complexity is the self-presentation theory—a conceptual framework striving to unveil why certain people experience heightened anxiety in social settings.…
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DO SAFETY BEHAVIORS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY SABOTAGE EXPOSURE THERAPY?
In the mid-90s, a study highlighted the nuances of exposure therapy in the context of social phobia, shedding light on the concept of “safety behaviors.” These behaviors act as crutches, allowing individuals to engage in exposure while mitigating excessive anxiety. Take, for instance, someone with a fear of conversing with strangers; they might opt to…
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THE POWER OF YOGA: STRESS RELIEF AND INNER BALANCE
Numerous scientific investigations now validate what countless yoga enthusiasts have discovered: Be it for acute stress scenarios like childbirth or ongoing struggles with stress and anxiety, yoga proves to be an efficacious tool for soothing our nervous systems. Several factors contribute to yoga’s efficacy in managing stress and anxiety. While yoga might not resonate with…