Our body is constantly dealing with different stressors in our life – from physical to mental to emotional stress. Not getting enough sleep? That’s a type of stress. Balancing multiple projects at work? Also stressful. Lost a close friend or family member? Definitely another source of stress. On top of our regular life stresses, current events right now only add to the amount of stress we have to deal with in our lives. But what is the difference between stress and anxiety? And why does it matter?
Stress is our body’s fight or flight response; we respond to threats by releasing the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Our heart beats faster and our body gets ready to fight or take action.
Anxiety has many of the same physical responses as stress; however, the difference is that the stress response becomes a repetitive source of worry that keeps replaying in a loop in our brains. Anxiety may be triggered by certain events or past experiences. Anxiety that goes on for too long can turn into depression.
6 ways to cope with stress and anxiety:
1. Exercise and eat well. Being active is one of the best ways to combat stress and anxiety. Eating whole, nutrient-dense foods and working out a few times each week can go a long way for your emotions. Studies show that working out reduces anxiety and produces endorphins.
2. Find personal mantras. Having mantras, you can tell yourself during times of stress can be helpful in staying present in the moment. Mantras like, “I can do this,” or “Breathe,” can really help when you feel overwhelmed by your stress.
3. Have an anxiety journal. An anxiety journal is not just about writing your anxieties in a journal, but rather setting aside a specific time just for those worries. Don’t let those worries infiltrate other parts of your day.
4. Be in nature. Being engrossed in nature has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety. Take a hike, a walk in the woods, or swim in a lake.
5. Seek professional help. Talk therapy is one of the most effective ways to combat negative thoughts and emotions. Find a therapist who can help you deal with your anxieties and develop the skills you need to combat them on a daily basis.
6. Ketamine infusions. Ketamine infusions are an effective way to fight anxiety and depression when all other treatment options fail to alleviate symptoms. Many patients report an improvement in their symptoms in as little as 1-2 infusions, and oftentimes within hours of the first.
Feeling anxious and depressed? We offer a variety of treatments including ketamine infusions and IV hydration therapy. Schedule a consultation with our Modesto, CA ketamine treatment center to find the best treatment for you.
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics