While all this is going on around us we are setting goals for ourselves that may or may not be realistic. When we miss one or more goals we put ourselves under tremendous pressure and that creates even more stress.

It seems that with all the pressure life is heaping on us the only way to get out of it is either to find a mountain top and learn to live off air, or to enter a monastery. Neither one of these alternatives is really a good option for most of us. Then how do we learn to manage stress, and what can we individually do for ourselves so we do not suffer from unintended consequences.

Before I go into the recommendation, let me give you a little rationale as to why it is important for you to learn how to effectively deal with stress. You see when you are under stress your body actually releases chemicals which are harmful to our health. These chemicals can actually make us sick.

Think about the typical work environment, how many people happen to get sick just before they were to do a major presentation, or the day before their performance review. I have personal experience that has proven this to me. Think back to your last illness and see what was going on in your life at that time. You may be surprised.

Now before you go to your MD or DO, please keep in mind that not all of conventional medicine has bought into this information. Naturopaths and Homeopaths have been sharing this with their patients for centuries.

I have recently adopted a new saying for myself: It is what it is. That seems simple, but in reality it is exactly true. While I may be able to change some things in my life, there are some things I simply can’t change, for example:

• I can’t change the fact that the guy in front of me just cut me off while I was driving 70 MPH
• I can’t change the fact that my boss thinks I messed up at work
• I can’t change the fact that the deer ran out in front of me and hit my car
• I can’t change the fact that the power went out and my alarm clock didn’t work

At the same time, one small but crucial thing we can do is to change our attitude. This one thing can dramatically change whatever stress is going on around you. What I can change is how I react or respond to those incidents or situations. I control my thoughts and actions, or at least I should be able to. And at the end of the day I am the one responsible for my thoughts and actions.

Now one of the best ways to get into the right frame of mind, or develop a better attitude is by exercising. When we exercise our body produces endorphins, the happy chemical. The endorphins help relax us and they help calm us. When we are relaxed we have little to no stress.

Consider this the next time you feel a red flag stress alert coming on – leave the situation and get away for a few minutes. A walk outside in the fresh air sounds like just the ticket. If you do this for about 10-15 minutes you should start feeling the effect of the endorphins and find yourself in a much more relaxed state.

I am not suggesting that the problems will go away. However, how you deal with them, how you see them and how you re-act to them will be different and you will feel better.

Give it a try. Go take a brisk walk and see if you don’t feel better!

1. Consider Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy refers to professional, progressive treatment supervised by a licensed psychologist or behavior therapist. This is considered to be the most effective treatment for social anxiety disorder currently available. The goal of this therapy is to guide the patient’s thoughts in a more rational direction and to help the patient to relearn coping mechanisms. This type of therapy also helps to patient to stop avoiding situations that can cause anxiety. Sessions will help the patient to react differently to stressful situations. Some anxiety treatments  could include systematic desensitization and  exposure under controlled conditions to the feared situation. The systematic approach often involves the patient imagining a situation that they find stressful and then dealing with the fears in a relaxed and controlled environment. The other of these actually exposes the person to their fear, but in limited time and with the help of the therapist.

2. Don’t always rely on medication

One discomforting trend is that many people are avoiding treatment for this disorder altogether, assuming that the cure would only be pharmacological medication. Needless to say, there’s plenty of reason to avoid medication if at all possible. Besides, just as with alcohol and drugs, patients who form a dependency on drugs without receiving any progressive therapy sessions, may be getting into more trouble.

3. Read More About Self-Help Treatment

Individuals can also seek help for themselves by reading self-help publications and by improving their social skills. Therapists might also encourage meditation exercises and periods of deep, focused breathing.

What’s most important to remember about social anxiety disorder is to diagnose the problem early and start treatment as soon as possible.