h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

“The psychological state of fear affects us biologically,” says Los Angeles psychiatrist Carole Lieberman. “People who are anxious drink and eat more. They have more accidents. They’re more likely to get colds or suffer heart attacks.” In short, as University of Michigan neuroscientist Stephen Maren puts it, a brain system designed to keep us from getting eaten is now “eating away at us.”
Quotes are from article: http://www.msnbc.com/news/873610.asp#BODY


Fear is the mother of all emotions—a response so fundamental to survival that we share it with rodents, fishes and fruit flies. Yet fear and anxiety can shackle us, diminish our lives, even kill us.

Survival depends on the ability of an organism to respond to threat or reward, and predict the circumstances under which they are likely to occur. Of course there is always unpredictable stress,which is the best reason to keep preditable ones to a minimum if at all possible.

From time to time, I like to review what stress does. It can remind me I am NOT loosing my mind. I am temporarily overly stressed. It will/can get better.

Interesting that you should talk about the psychology of fear tonight Abbi. I'm in a very fearful state tonight. I'm worried about the impending war with Iraq, and whether my nephew will be sent overseas. Have been reading the news about North Korea too, and how they are threatening a nuclear war if they are ever attacked. When I read stuff like that I think please, no, not in my lifetime. I have a lot of trouble with this stuff, because the first time I got really manic I thought a nuclear war would start. Very frightening personally, and I have bad memories of that. *sigh*

I am sorry to hear this is EXtra bad for you then. I think it certainly can exaserbate(sp> other stress, PTSD and no doubt add to many peoples lives.

The article is actually written about the current politics. They mention the last *orange* warning here about the time they said; get duct tape and plastic. I thought it was cruel for them to do that! Not to mention older folks could have died! Bad bad advice! The head of secuirty/saftey gets on and laughs about it! He says :OH now, put away the duct tape...... THAT was bizarre behavior for a gov official! I could only think of the people whom may be more afraid.

I hope U do OK. I had to stop reading. When I first came here there were all these issues that are just now becoming more public knowledge. That is good to see! The peace protests have had an impact on the politicians running for office next. The war has been delayed. There are more people wanting more accountability. I think if the war does come, there is a better chance of things being held to a minimun. Meaning short and with the Iraq people *wanting* the US to show up and help them.We can hope the IraQ armies will surrender also. There are still matters that can deflate the damage at this point. I sure hope so. I have not given up a seemingly miracle either.

Jellen if writing helps ~ write me email! Please do, if hootoo is EVER too exposing feel free. Do U have it?

Yes Abbi, I do have your email addies, thank you. You're such a dear! I get to see Linda, my therapist, on Thursday, so I will bring all this up with her. I'm sure that will help.

Speaking of the psych of fear, there's a really cool book called The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. It's about how our sense of danger helps keep us safe. And how we should always heed our personal intuition in matters of safety.

Fear does have its place.

I will look that book up if U liked it!
One of many countless reasons BALANCE is so key to me.
I have many tricks in place to keep it in check.
I am VERY good about picking up on it. The correction still takes more time than I would like Practice.....

The title of this conversation moved me.

Stress does kill, literaly. I had a coworker who died at work less than a year ago. This week I have been under extreme stress due to work and it hav hardly eaten or slept as a result.

Things that you can do to help combat stress are to spend down time away from your stressors, I took this weekend off and just relaxed for example. You also can use meditation to assist in relief of stress. Sometimes a simple drink can help, but it can go too far the other way so be carefull.

More than that I cannot say, I just feel that people need to educate themselves about stress so they don't end up in a premature grave.

I agree Marv! ~

I too think getting away, having the senses engrossed in a totally new enviornment can help.

I do not drink at all. I do meditate and use relaxation techniques,journals and friends go a long way
Humor whenever possible, especially at myself

Sounds like U have a clues as to how to take care of yourself Marv.
Keep it upand Good Luck

my

when I was in hospital a while back I got Paul Wilson's "Little book of Calm". altho book is meant to be serious I found very entertaining by readong some pages to the nurses. the laughter it brought me relaxed me.

Paul Wilson's "Little book of Calm" published by Penguin books you can get in normal bookshop. his website is in Australia, but is has some tips for calm. http://www.calmcentre.com/

do not let the "orange" warning control your fear, because that costs a lot of energy and will keep you from listening to to your innervoice. trust yourself. learn to focus on living now and not what tomorrow might be bringing.

I know that I do not have answer, but it might help a bit and if you train yourself bit by bit your fear may be helping to decide better.

Thank you pheloxi I will add that book to my list!

I am not so fearful myself. Many elderly are and a few others around me. It is awful for them.

I am actually #1 preoccupied with my family losses at the momentHowever,I am not wanting to drop the news just now.

I do feel the tension and fear is rising in general, with the politics at hand. I personally felt some release of tension when the Peace Protesters had an effect. Maybe not complete peace but a delay,it gave the Dems a good push out the door! More public discussions. More hope for a change here the next election.I resented the whole duct tape episode. The increased panick it brought and then the head of safety for the US *joking* about it and saying nevermind!

Nothing like a good schedule to reduce stress. If you say, e.g. For the next half an hour, I do X and just that, and then do it, and not worry about Y or Z until the next time slot. If X contributes to fixing Y, even better.

And listening to absurdly happy music helps too.

Stress diminishes the bodies immune defence system. You are more likely to catch something when under stress. That's the most immediate problem.

Pheloxi I went to the calm site then suggested it to my friend. She needed something to center herself during a short work day break. It is perfect!

I know..."little book of Calm" fits in

That is a great plus too
My friend has a lot of anxiety,a purse size copy is perfection.
She loves short & sweet ideas and sayings, one liners she can remember to recite to herself. I do too actually!

lots of 1liners in calm-book