Anxiety Archive

Meditation helps us calm the body and shift perspective, and certain types of it offer an array of health benefits. What's more, imaging research shows that meditation can change the structure and connectivity of brain areas to help us cope with fear and anxiety.

Music therapy uses personally tailored interventions such as singing, songwriting, playing an instrument, or moving to the beat to help people with a variety of health conditions manage disease symptoms and treatment side effects. Research suggests music therapy can curb stress, soothe pain, promote sleep, reduce anxiety, and improve memory and focus. People interested in accessing music therapy can ask their health care team or hospital for a referral, or look for a music therapist through the American Music Therapy Association.

Anxiety can produce physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach upset, and tightness in the chest. Sometimes this sets up a vicious cycle, in which anxiety triggers physical symptoms, and the symptoms magnify anxiety, which makes them even worse. Doing distracting tasks or relaxation exercises can help break this cycle. People should seek professional help if symptoms can't be controlled.

As they age, men can face obstacles to achieving orgasms during sex, such as anorgasmia (the inability to achieve an orgasm), delayed orgasm (where it takes 30 minutes or longer to climax). Sometimes, lack of arousal is an issue. Men can take steps to help achieve orgasms, such as introducing strategies in the bedroom, such masturbation, using sexual toys, and reading erotica.

A meditation practice may help lower blood pressure and encourage people to make healthier choices when coping with stress. The two best-studied forms are Transcendental Meditation, which may lower blood pressure, and mindfulness-based meditation, which may reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. People can learn how to meditate at in-person or virtual classes or by using an app.

A 2024 study found that people with high blood sugar and high triglycerides are more likely to develop chronic stress, anxiety, or depression later in life, compared with people who have low or normal blood sugar levels.

Many of us experience social anxiety from time to time. But when this social anxiousness causes intense distress and starts to impact daily life, it could be indicative of a common condition called social anxiety disorder.