Anxiety is the scourge of our generation. As I mentioned in a previous article, I’m pretty damn happy most of the time, but I do get anxious and stressed. Stress is linked to the hormone cortisol, which is produced by the body in fight or flight mode. When you’re on a losing streak, or anxious about stuff, your body will produce cortisol. Cortisol is perfectly normal and has served us well for millennia. But it’s only supposed to be in the body for short amounts of time. In the last century however, cortisol stays in the body for longer at low-levels, due to the lifestyle we now have. This is not good. In fact, this will kill us. I accidentally discovered this breathing exercise when out and about recently. Stand up tall (a bit like power posing as we saw in the earlier article on Amy Cuddy). Tilt your head …[Read More]
Body
Defeating anxiety and stress
I’m an anxious person. I’m a happy person but I can also be an anxious person. Those who know me, know that I have OCD as well as general worry about things. My OCD is pretty standard as things go. I have a routine upon leaving the house. I check the balcony door is locked. I check the hob. I check the taps are shut off in the kitchen. I turn off all power sockets. I check that the shower is off. I check that the bathroom taps are shut off. Then I get to the front door. I check this is locked by pushing the door 30 times. This must sound utterly insane to someone who has no OCD tendencies. And it is. I know it’s crazy but still I do it. Why do I continue to do it? Because it gives me reassurance that it’s done. I’ve been …[Read More]