An anxiety disorder may be an outcome from a mixture of causes. Some people are genetically inclined to developing it, while others may have experienced stressful life events, such as a move, a job change, the loss of a loved one, or a divorce, which can trigger the anxiety.

The person with an anxiety disorder may develop a sense of fear for no obvious reason. Their body may exhibit trembling, sweating, nausea and "butterflies in the stomach". Stress is your body's response to change. Exercise helps your body relieve stress. It also will make your body stronger to be able to handle stress. The best type of exercise for improving the way your body reacts to anxiety is aerobics. People with anxiety disorders worry that aerobic exercise will bring on a panic attack. You may feel a panic attack is starting when your heart rate intensifies and you begin to sweat. Start gradually. Taking a walk a little bit every day is a good beginning.

Learning to become relaxed is a great method of conquering anxiety. If you learn how to relax your body, your mind is quick to follow. Muscle relaxation is one kind of relaxation that will give you results. You thoroughly tense each muscle group in your body, holding the tension for about ten seconds and then releasing the tension for another ten seconds. Practice relaxation exercises once a day. You will begin to feel more relaxed when you practice relaxation exercises every day.

There are dietary changes you may make to assist your body to deal with stress. Eliminating caffeine is helpful to combat anxiety. Caffeine is a stimulant that can leave you feeling nervous. It can make your body react as it would to stress. Caffeine may also cause panic attacks. Gradually eliminate caffeine as you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop too rapidly. Nicotine is another stimulant to avoid. Nicotine can create an effect like caffeine but quitting may cause an initial boost in anxiety and stress. Consuming a healthy diet will make you stronger. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel and how much better you may cope with stress when you're sticking to a well-balanced diet.

Work on negative thinking and try to think more positive thoughts. If you put yourself down a lot; feel angry much of the time and usually never have a single positive thought in your head, you most likely won't be able to manage stress very well. Don't take yourself so seriously and laugh more. Laughter may release stress and make you feel better. Do things you enjoy more to make yourself relax.

Seeing a therapist and finding a supportive group of people to help deal with your anxiety can be useful. Overcoming anxiety alone can be overwhelming. Seeking anxiety support groups and a good doctor is a great way to cope with anxiety. Don't forget to eat right, laugh more and stay positive. You may be on your way to being less stressed and happier.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Anxiety