Anxiety + Norwegians

ANXIETY

Bills, deadlines, obligations and responsibilities. We all have plenty of reasons to stress out on any given day of the week, but most people are able to put their worries aside for at least a couple of hours each day and relax. That, however, is much easier said than done for people who suffer from chronic anxiety. Interestingly, a new study conducted at Penn State University finds that especially anxious people may actually choose not to relax due to a fear that letting go of their worries for a few hours will result in even more anxiety if something bad happens.

We’ve all had the feeling. You’re sitting down for some quiet relaxation and a thought pops in your mind; did you remember to finish that chore, or pay that bill? Its common for people to feel like they’re forgetting something, but for many suffering from anxiety this is a constant, creeping feeling of impending doom that makes it nearly impossible to relax for fear of something awful happening while they are slacking off.

According to researchers, people who are particularly prone to negative emotion changes, such as quickly shifting from feeling relaxed to overwhelmingly afraid, are most at risk of feeling anxious while being led through relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. Michelle Newman, the study’s author and a professor of psychology at Penn State, refers to this tendency as “relaxation-induced anxiety.”

“People may be staying anxious to prevent a large shift in anxiety, but it’s actually healthier to let yourself experience those shifts,” Newman explains in a release. “The more you do it, the more you realize you can do it and it’s better to allow yourself to be relaxed at times. Mindfulness training and other interventions can help people let go and live in the moment.”

The study is also noteworthy because it illustrates how relaxation strategies intended to help people feel better may result in a worse state of mind and more anxiety among certain people.

“People who are more vulnerable to relaxation-induced anxiety are often the ones with anxiety disorders who may need relaxation more than others,” comments psychology graduate student Hanjoo Kim. “And of course, these relaxation techniques were meant to help, not make someone more anxious. Our findings will hopefully serve as a cornerstone for providing better care for these populations.” --John Anderer, studyfinds.org

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE . . . NORWAY

"Norwegians told to pee in shower to save water"  Drudge Report, 10/18