Taxes and Anxiety
April may bring May flowers, but it also bring tax time to Americans and that is often reason for anxiety--even for those who pay every penny of their taxes. Taxes, by their very nature, are anxiety-evoking, so it might be a good time to consider what we can do to relieve some of this tension and anxiety.
Sleep, even though you have trouble getting enough sleep, is one of the essentials in fighting anxiety, be it from taxes or anything else. It allows our body that period of recuperation and rebuilding from that the day's stresses and it's vital. If you don't have enough sleep, one of the resultant effects is that you are more irritable, become depressed and have problems concentrating. How can you do your best on figuring out your taxes or anything else if you don't have your brain functioning to best capacity? This, then, starts a spiral that builds anxiety in the process and, in the end, you will have gained nothing. So sleep is a mandate.
Take a break for fun or any pleasurable activity. Breaking away from a tedious or demanding task is often one of the best ways to return to it with a fresh perspective, one that can help you see solutions you missed before.
Laugh whenever the opportunity presents itself. If nothing funny is happening, turn on the TV to something you find amusing and give yourself a leg up on the tax process through the benefits of laughing. We know that it helps not only with our mood, but our immune system as well. Who said you have to get finished with your taxes and then come down with the flu or a cold because of stress and how it had a negative impact on your immune system. Laughter is truly a medicine.
Sit back and smell the coffee, the roses or whatever else suits your mood. Yes, there is benefit from just sitting and vegging out a bit. Every waking moment does not have to be spent in meaningful activity or worrying about something.
Talk to yourself. A friend's grandmother always said, When you talk to yourself, you talk to a wise person. Good thought and nice affirmation of your worth. So, bolster your self-esteem with positive self-talk and be that coach you always wanted to be--only this time you're the one getting and giving the coaching.
Lastly, remember that for everything there is an answer. You can find it in yourself or through the help of others. Reach out when you need to.
Related Topics: WebMD Video: Killer Stress,Wake Up About Sleep Problems
Technorati Tags: IRS, taxes, April 15th, stress
Sleep, even though you have trouble getting enough sleep, is one of the essentials in fighting anxiety, be it from taxes or anything else. It allows our body that period of recuperation and rebuilding from that the day's stresses and it's vital. If you don't have enough sleep, one of the resultant effects is that you are more irritable, become depressed and have problems concentrating. How can you do your best on figuring out your taxes or anything else if you don't have your brain functioning to best capacity? This, then, starts a spiral that builds anxiety in the process and, in the end, you will have gained nothing. So sleep is a mandate.
Take a break for fun or any pleasurable activity. Breaking away from a tedious or demanding task is often one of the best ways to return to it with a fresh perspective, one that can help you see solutions you missed before.
Laugh whenever the opportunity presents itself. If nothing funny is happening, turn on the TV to something you find amusing and give yourself a leg up on the tax process through the benefits of laughing. We know that it helps not only with our mood, but our immune system as well. Who said you have to get finished with your taxes and then come down with the flu or a cold because of stress and how it had a negative impact on your immune system. Laughter is truly a medicine.
Sit back and smell the coffee, the roses or whatever else suits your mood. Yes, there is benefit from just sitting and vegging out a bit. Every waking moment does not have to be spent in meaningful activity or worrying about something.
Talk to yourself. A friend's grandmother always said, When you talk to yourself, you talk to a wise person. Good thought and nice affirmation of your worth. So, bolster your self-esteem with positive self-talk and be that coach you always wanted to be--only this time you're the one getting and giving the coaching.
Lastly, remember that for everything there is an answer. You can find it in yourself or through the help of others. Reach out when you need to.
Related Topics: WebMD Video: Killer Stress,Wake Up About Sleep Problems
Technorati Tags: IRS, taxes, April 15th, stress
2 Comments:
Dr Farrell,
Tax time doesn't bother me a bit. In my tax bracket, it's pretty straightforward. But I enjoyed your blog and the great advice in it is applicable to any anxiety-evoking event or situation.
Just wanted to say thanks!
~Tasker
Thanks, my friend. May you always be free of tax anxiety and as for the rest, may it be less than anyone could have wished for. My way of turning that old Irish expression of "May the wind be ever at your back and the road rise to meet you."
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