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We all get anxious in certain social situations -- a business luncheon, a job interview, a first date, all of these can put butterflies in your stomach and cause your mind to have the jitters.

But for people with social anxiety disorder those jitters turn into all-out fear, anxiety and extreme self-consciousness. Simply going to the grocery store or out for dinner with friends becomes a scary situation in which you fear others are judging you or watching you, or that you may humiliate yourself.

Those with the disorder may go to great lengths to avoid social situations of all kinds, and in so doing miss out on many opportunities, and may even have a hard time getting through their daily routine.

Signs You May Have Social Anxiety Disorder

If you have social anxiety disorder chances are you suspect it already. But for those wondering if a friend or loved one is affected, here are some symptoms to watch out for, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Intense fear of being in situations in which you don't know people
• Fear of situations in which you may be judged
• Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
• Fear that others will notice that you look anxious
• Anxiety that disrupts your daily routine, work, school or other activities
• Avoiding doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment
• Avoiding situations where you might be the center of attention

How to Overcome Social Anxiety

Any type of anxiety can interfere with your ability to thoroughly enjoy your life.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to overcome anxiety and get back in control of your life.

• Release your anxious feelings. At its heart, anxiety is just a feeling and that feeling can be released.

Right now, this notion may sound hard to believe, but hundreds of thousands of people have freed themselves of anxiety by doing just that, using a tool called The Sedona Method.

The Method teaches you how to release worry, fear and anxiety on the spot, leaving you free to feel relaxed and at ease.

• Exercise. People who exercise are less likely to develop anxiety disorders, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. (Read Exercise with Anxiety)

• Focus on the present. Allow yourself to focus on what is actually here and now as opposed to focusing on the label ‘anxiety’ and the story ‘it is chronic.’ Once you are focused on the sensations, pictures and sounds that are actually here now, it is much easier to let go of the anxious feelings. (Get more mindfulness tips)

Free Yourself from Fear and Anxiety Now with the Sedona Method.

Many of anxiety gurus are convinced that no matter how much you learn about compassionate self-talk, expectations, and scary, obsessive thoughts, you won't be in control of your anxiety until you change your diet.

You may be attentive in writing down your negative thoughts, in being compassionate with yourself and taking risks, but there's no getting around it:

What you eat affects the way you feel emotionally and physically.

Many people who are trying to overcome their problems with stress, anxiety, and depression start out their day by consuming two cups of coffee, a couple of sugar donuts, and a few cigarettes hoping to raise their levels of arousal and overcome fatigue resulting from a sleepless night and wander why they end up having a panic attack on their way to work.

Needless to say that such a breakfast is completely void of nutrition as well. Plus if you drink many cups of coffee a day, then you may become nervous, hyperactive and irritable.

Caffeine and refined sugar - two of the most diabolical substances the anxiety sufferer can consume.

Caffeine is one of the most common substances that will trigger the stress response in your body.

Just 250 milligrams of caffeine per day is considered excessive and can result in the following effects:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Nervousness

Caffeine elevates the blood cholesterol in your body, reduces iron in your blood, and flushes the water out of your body, causing lethargy and muscle discomfort.

Even though each person is different, the facts are:

Two hundred fifty milligrams is the amount of caffeine considered excessive, and many people are adversely affected by a much smaller amount.

Many medications and foods contain caffeine.

TIP:

Read the labels and be aware of what you're ingesting. It could mean the difference between a joyful experience and fighting off another aniety induced panic attack.

Stressed Out By Food? Read Foods that increase Stress levels

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Have you experienced the feeling of sickness in your stomach before an important presentation or delivering a speech?

We have all experienced the sweaty palms, dry mouth, the raised heart rate, shaking voice, tense neck and upper back muscles as these events approach.

These feelings are perfectly normal and when prepared in advance you are going to be alright.

Click HERE to read.

All of us have had our own share of anxious times. Be it a feeling of having butterflies in stomach before making an important presentation or increase in the heart rate before a difficult examination, there are numerous such instances in our everyday lives.

Some level of anxiety is healthy and it helps to provide a person with required motivation to accomplish a task. But, there are times when it becomes so severe that it begins to interrupt one's daily life. Anxiety disorder may manifest in different forms and is generally characterized by an overwhelming feeling of worry and fear.

Click HERE to read the article.

How the human heart is affected by anxiety

I am sure that you have heard about the important connection between mental and physical health. But do you fully understand the relationship your organs have with your state of mind? Research is showing how physiological reactions to stress and anxiety can take a huge toll on our hearts.

When we experience symptoms of anxiety, what we feel is the body’s preparation to face danger. Elevated heart rate, high blood pressure and the release of stress hormones into the blood are normal reactions that occur in our bodies when faced with stressful situations and anxiety.

Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety can have a negative impact on the heart, including palpitations, tremors and insomnia. Whatever the cause for anxiety may be, there are steps we can take to improve our quality of life.

Take Action:

Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation to promote inner calm which will lessen symptoms of anxiety and promote cardiovascular health.

Exercise is another fundamental element in keeping our heart and mind healthy. People who suffer from anxiety often quit exercising because they find it overwhelming or they are simply physically and mentally exhausted. However, exercise  is an excellent way of promoting relaxation, inner calm and decreasing feelings of anxiety.

Getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet is also important. Regular and sufficient sleep is essential for the proper functioning of all bodily systems. Aim for at least 8 hours every night. A balanced diet that mainly features wholesome fruits, vegetables, and lean meats will encourage restful sleep and systemic balance.

Certain medications and stimulants should also be avoided. Caffeinated beverages and over-the-counter diet pills often feature harsh stimulants that can worsen your symptoms. The same caution should be practiced with cough and cold medicines containing decongestants.

Finally, put your mind to it. Your mood can make a huge difference on the frequency and severity of anxiety symptoms you experience. As the Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “Man is not disturbed by events, but by the view he takes of them.".

A holistic approach to healing recognizes that the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical elements of each person comprise a system that is greater than its individual parts. This approach attempts to treat the whole person, concentrating on the cause of the illness as well as symptoms.

Embrace the holistic approach:

Use Natural Remedies For Anxiety Treatment