Anxiety Busters: 5 Ways to Overcome Your Anxiety

I found that a nice cup of coffee savored over is very relaxing. Of course I can only do this when I have a little time for myself. The best thing I can recommend is get thee to a monthly caregivers support group! And soon after that, get the book, "The Power" by Rhonda Byrne from your local library. And read it. Twice. Take notes if possible.

I read on a yoga newsletter that one should develop being "compassionately indifferent". At first I thought that was not a positive way to live your life but as I am entering my 4th month with two sick and elderly inlaws living with me, I am believing it is a very good thing. It means you are caring and do what you have to do and communicate care and love but you dont internalize their fears and pains and anger. I am learning not to be responsible for their happiness. I am giving them a safe and comfortable environment with their grandsons coming and going three good meals a day and I that they are immensely better off than they would be if still in Florida. It is hard to develop but try becoming compassionately indifferent. All health care professionals and caregivers have mastered it or they would not be able to continue in their stressful jobs.

I have been taking care of my mother who has dementia and cancer for the past 7 years. At first I thought I can do this. Well, as my son turned into a teen and my mother got worse; I thought I could never continue. My days grew longer and my stress level became higher. I had constant worries and problems arise. I thank God I have a level head and went to a Doctor. He put me on anti-depressants and anti anxiety medicine. I believe in prayer and I set up alone time to pray. I also use meditation as a stress reliever as well as take walks whenever I can. I have found other friends that are caregivers. It helps to talk to them to know you are not alone and to get tips. I must say I am so happy to be able to take care of my mother. I am learning to take one day at a time and not to think of the inevitable. That is the key try to live moment to moment. Enjoy the ones you are taking care of.

I think learning to become compassionately indifferent is the key and the challenge. I have found exercising everyday the key to relieving stress and anxiety. I get up very early before my father-in-law arises and do stretching and weights. I try also to go for an hour swim once a week. I don't believe in medications but when my stress level wouldn't go down and I was experiencing stroke like symptoms I started an antipressesant which really helped with no apparant side effects. Caring for an elderly person with dimentia, family and working is a lot, but keeping loved ones out of neglectful nursing homes is worth the stress to me.

Often articles that offer 6 ways to do something or 7 ways to improve something are pretty lame and superficial. This one is a nice exception. Concise, practical, and specific. There are really some things here to try. I congratulate the author.

Eliza, thank you for sharing the compassionate indifference concept. It is definitely something to think about and perhaps move toward.

Batshevaw, I've never thought about medications as something to believe in or not, any more than I've considered whether I believe in central heating or indoor plumbing. It is just something that we humans have used our intelligence to develop for our own well-being. Our intelligence is a natural part of us as a species, and in that sense central heating and indoor plumbing and the pills I take for a life-threating lipid problem or for diabetes or for depression are "natural" in my mind. I think your use of exercise is commendable, and its the one thing I think this article could have stressed a little more.

Great article - practical and easy to implement. I learned that caffeine, alcohol and sugar trigger episodes of anxiety. That is good information. I'm a bit of a caffeine aficionado - I'll have to cut back. Another point is to emphasize the importance of exercise - it elevates the endorphins and helps create a sense of "all is right with the world" - I can tackle this. Walking. Swimming. Biking. Hiking. Whatever you choose, do you regularly.

Great article - practical and easy to implement. I learned that caffeine, alcohol and sugar trigger episodes of anxiety. That is good information. I'm a bit of a caffeine aficionado - I'll have to cut back. Another point is to emphasize the importance of exercise - it elevates the endorphins and helps create a sense of "all is right with the world" - I can tackle this. Walking. Swimming. Biking. Hiking. Whatever you choose, do it regularly.

I wish my mother was here, so I could visit her at the nursing home. Those of you who are able to care for your mother or dad are very special people. Your parents benefit and you benefit (even though you may not think that you are doing anyone any favors and it's "damn" hard work. Just keep at it - you are doing a world of good.)

Regarding medication: We have become a nation of pill poppers. Headache take this, a pain or ache take that. There is a pill for everything. Unfortunately the side affects of many medications are more serious than the original illness. These chemicals actually change you, which is much more invasive than central air conditioning. A doctor put my father-in-law on serequel, and he was unable to walk, and was not sure where he was, could not hold a conversation. Thank G-d for the internet and after much research this drug was not recommended for seniors and the drug company was being sued. Six months off this medication and my father-in-law is doing 90% better. In short just do your homework and be more educated when speaking with your doctor.

Batshevaw, it sounds like your statement, " I don't believe in medications" means "I don't believe in using medications without exploring the alternatives and researching the drug first." Would you say that is a fair conclusion? If so, I definitely agree with you.

Seroquel was certainly not the correct medication for your FIL. It is exactly the right medication for my husband, (now 85) who has taken it for 7 years. I am extremely grateful for this drug and for the specialists who recognized it might be appropriate and who were willing to closely monitor the results. Treating human beings (with drugs or without) is infinitely more complicated than developing heating systems or even exploring outer space, because each person is unique. Still, I can't think of a more worthy use of our intelligence than directing it at ways to cure or at least alleviate suffering. (Too bad profit muddies this noble aspiration.)

I think this article is right on, in advocating alternative ways of managing anxiety, but also acknowledging that in some cases medical care, including drugs, may be necessary.