Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety or panic attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety, fear and discomfort. While these attacks might seem to happen for no reason, they're actually the body's response to what it perceives as the need for fight or flight.

The attacks usually last about ten minutes, but can be as short as one minute. In severe cases, these attacks can happen in cycles. These cycles may last for extended periods. These cycles can cause anticipation anxiety between episodes.

Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks generally include shortness of breath, heart palpitations and sweating. Tingling and numbness in the extremities, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches and nausea are also commonly experienced. These may appear to be random, but they're actually the result of the body's preparations for protection.

The anxiety attack is brought on by a sudden onset of fear. In response, the body releases adrenaline followed by increases in the heart and breathing rate and production of sweat (to regulate body temperature). These actions prepare the body for the physical activities of fighting or escaping. Because the anticipated strenuous activity rarely follows the panic attack, these reactions result in physical discomfort.

The increased heart rate is felt as heart palpitations. Rapid breathing (hyperventilation) results in a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and blood. This leads to the tingling, numbness, dizziness and lightheadedness. The adrenaline causes a narrowing of the blood vessels which results in less blood flow to the head. This also contributes to the lightheadedness and headaches.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Circumstances Beyond Your Control

Being happy is easy when life is going well; but what

about when circumstances spin out of control and bad

things happen one right after another.

We all have times when we feel that we just can’t get

out from under the storm clouds. How do people stay

happy during the tough times?

It’s been said time and time again that when the going

gets tough the tough get going, but some people don’t

find that at all easy to do.

Positive attitudes can help, but knowing that there is

a higher power that controls the chess pieces of our

lives lets us know that this hard time is only a bump

in the road and will soon pass.

This deep acceptance of faith is called joy; and hard

times simply can’t compete with pure joy.

We may not understand why bad things happen to good

people, but we know that they do and always will. Bad

things happen to bad people too, just as good things

happen to good people.

It’s just the way it is. If we can simply understand

that we can’t know certain things on this side of

life, which will help us get through life here.

Try to look at everything as part of God’s plan and as

a positive experience; find joy in the simple

pleasures in life and don’t let the circumstances of

the day (or week) get you down!

An Overview of Happiness

Happiness seems to be a fleeting thing to some people;
others seem to have a good grasp on it and seem to be
able to hang on for dear life!

Happiness means different things to different people,
but there are similarities that have led scientists to
believe that there is much people can do to assist
themselves in their personal pursuit of happiness.

Most people who are truly happy have a true sense of
purpose in their life. What is your passion and are
you living it? For many people, faith in God brings
them happiness, hope for the future and a sense of
purpose.

Happy people generally are giving people; giving truly
does bring the giver joy, if it’s done with a real
attitude of giving for the sake of giving. Happy
people are also thankful for the things in their life,
and for the people and relationships in their life.
Nurture your special relationships with family and
friends and think about dumping negative relationships
that do nothing except bring you down.

Optimism doesn’t come naturally to some people, but
the happiest people are optimists, always looking on
the lighter and brighter side of life. Take it easy on
yourself-lighten up!

If you are online often, have a joke-of-the-day sent
to you. Don’t be afraid to laugh; laughing releases
endorphins in your brain that make you truly happy-as
does exercise.

Consciously look for the bright side in every
situation throughout the day; instead of instantly
thinking something won’t work, think about how it
could.

Be mindful of how blessed you are; got a job? Be
thankful. In a good relationship? Be thankful.
Thankfulness will lead to happiness every time.

Joy through good health!

There is nothing more important to your happiness

factor than taking proper care of your body.

There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep to

make you feel better. Well, maybe a perfect diet,

proportioned in fat, carbohydrates, proteins and

calories. Oh, I almost forgot the benefit of a good

exercise program will do wonders for your health and

well-being.

Taking care of your health is an integral part of

taking care of your mental well-being. It’s hard to

feel happy if you don’t get proper nutrition, sleep or

exercise, no matter how hard you try to keep a

positive attitude. If you don’t feel rested or fueled,

happiness is going to be just beyond your reach.

Take time to get the rest you need. Go to bed earlier

than usual, but don’t disturb your natural rhythm too

much. Eat smaller meals, but more frequently, to keep

your blood sugar levels regular. Eat fresh foods; lots

of fresh fruit and vegetables will help keep your

energy levels up, and make sure to include some

proteins for long-term energy.

Exercise tells your brain to release “happy hormones”,

called endorphins. Regular exercise that makes you

breathe just a little bit hard helps you to burn fat

and to get the added benefit of the endorphins that

give you a burst of energy and a sense of well-being.

Take control of your own body as a way of making

yourself happier. By making better food choices,

getting plenty of quality rest and getting more

exercise is a sure-fire way of increasing you “happy

factor”.

Circumstances Beyond Your Control

Being happy is easy when life is going well; but what about when circumstances spin out of control and bad things happen one right after another.

We all have times when we feel that we just can’t get out from under the storm clouds. How do people stay happy during the tough times?

It’s been said time and time again that when the going gets tough the tough get going, but some people don’t find that at all easy to do.

Positive attitudes can help, but knowing that there is

a higher power that controls the chess pieces of our lives lets us know that this hard time is only a bump in the road and will soon pass.

This deep acceptance of faith is called joy; and hard times simply can’t compete with pure joy.

We may not understand why bad things happen to good people, but we know that they do and always will. Bad things happen to bad people too, just as good things

happen to good people.

It’s just the way it is. If we can simply understand

that we can’t know certain things on this side of

life, which will help us get through life here.

Try to look at everything as part of God’s plan and as

a positive experience; find joy in the simple

pleasures in life and don’t let the circumstances of

the day (or week) get you down!