WELL-Defined

Anxiety is both an emotional and physical reaction to stress, characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts or changes in the body, such as increased blood pressure, respiration rate or sweating.

The Fine Print

If your anxiety symptoms become severe and begin to interfere with your daily life (going to work, socializing, sleeping), you must talk to a doctor or mental health professional. You can find resources through the National Alliance of Mental Health at 1-800-950-NAMI. If your anxiety is accompanied by suicidal thoughts or behavior, seek emergency treatment immediately or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Where We Come In

For most people, experiencing some degree of anxiety isn’t completely avoidable—it ebbs and flows depending on how much bleep is hitting the fan—but it is usually manageable. Practices such as acupuncture, acupressure, meditation, breathwork, and physical exercise can all be used to mitigate the icky feelings anxiety brings on.