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Anxiety and Stress Management

The Anxiety and Stress Management blog has now been retired. You can still find Dr. Farrell at the Anxiety and Panic Disorders message board. And you can visit the Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center for more information about these conditions.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Taxes and Anxiety
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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


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Posted by: Pat_Farrell_PhD at 2:17 PM

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