NEWSFLASH!

2011-06-30
Fidgeting

Most of us suffer from anxiety, panic, or high stress during certain points in our lives. These experiences are neither comforting nor pleasant. There are signs our body gives us prior to these attacks. The amygdala (the brain's "security guard" that prepares us for possible danger) sends signals to parts of our body to confront or run from the situation. Look for the following:

• Increased Blinking - As fear approaches our eyes are on high alert, therefore blinks become shorter in order to keep our surroundings in constant sight.

• Dry Mouth/Stuttering - The frontal lobe (assists in motor function and problem solving) shuts down, this can cause you to "draw a blank," stutter, repeat yourself, and/or have dry mouth. All of the above aid in the aggravation of the situation.

• Sweating - Stress hormones like adrenaline trigger the sweat glands causing sweaty palms, underarms, and face.

• Nausea or Butterflies - The fight or flight response activates maximum blood flow to your muscles preparing you to flee. In the process, blood flow is taken from the digestive system leaving you feeling sick to your stomach or the infamous butterflies.

• Shaking - Yet again, adrenaline is responsible for this obvious annoyance. As adrenaline is coursing rapidly through your veins the muscles contract causing the shakes and tightening of the jaw.

• The Feeling of Urgency - Your bladder has a muscular wall that is responsible for keeping the bladder closed. Fear directs all of your body's energy to your legs, arms, feet, and hands which causes the function of other muscles to cease from working properly.

Although these results are uncomfortable and nerve wrecking they also help us to prepare for a possible harmful situation and are innate. Deep breathing and awareness can help keep this annoyances under control and manageable.

If symptoms of anxiety, panic, or stress are taking over your life contact us, we have experts on staff to help.

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