This pandemic has increased the level of anxiety and depression for many. Young and old alike complain of varying degrees of discomfort and fear brought about by the uncertainty of the times.

Connecting with nature feels lovely, perhaps a little magical at times. It’s restorative and allows you to step outside your busy life for a while and breathe. But there are already so many demands to juggle daily, within work and family issues, that getting some nature time often falls off the to-do list.

Anxiety seems to be getting more and more familiar with each passing year, but what’s the difference between fear and an anxiety disorder?

1. How do you handle it?

2. What is a treatment like?

In this article, we’ll explore the topic of anxiety disorders, demystifying this condition and directly explaining it so you can keep it from getting the better of you.

We live in a society where people go to great lengths to achieve that perfect selfie. Some individuals even make a pretty hefty living off  their looks.

These individuals are normally defined by the attention they receive but when the most significant determinant of self-esteem is only based on a person’s aesthetics, unhealthy patterns will develop.

Have you ever heard of a woman who found out that she had cancer, and instead of succumbing to her unfortunate situation, she spent most of her days watching comedy films? Months later, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that her tumours had gone.

There are many anecdotes about how positivity has turned things around for those who are dealing with health issues, even terminal ones like cancer. Today, many scientific studies are also showing evidence that emotional health can affect a person’s physical health and longevity.

Relaxation techniques are becoming a trending term on internet search engines as more and more people seek ways of coping with the stress of 21st-century living.

A variety of methods are available to achieve the relax­ation response - a state of deep rest that counteracts the nega­tive effects of stress.

In the book “The Superstress Solution,” Roberta Lee, M.D. assesses the stress level in most homes today, and offers a word of caution about chronic stress.  In her introduction, she writes:

Stress, in itself, is not a bad thing. What makes all the difference is how you cope with it.  Stress usually throws our life out of balance, sometimes causing physical and psychological problems.

Yet stress cannot be avoided, and so it is worth thinking about how to make the best possible use of it.

If you're feeling anxious about the state of the world at this moment, that's an appropriate reaction. It would be unusual not to be concerned: Since the coronavirus hit, we've all been bombarded with terrible news. With death and infection rates increasing daily, misinformation and rumours flood the internet. You may feel trapped in a horror movie with no hero coming to rescue you.

What is one thing that many highly accomplished individuals like Albert Einstein, Maya Angelou, John Steinback, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, and even Whitney Houston all have in common?

Logan was a doctoral student studying ancient Italian poetry. His life was filled with shelves of old books and a teaching job where he was supposed to inspire lethargic first-year students.

His doctoral adviser was ambiguous and inconsistent, and Logan was a people-pleaser who worried that his adviser and students were always upset with him.

Your mental health is inseparable from your physical health. I know it not a revolutionary concept, but what is astounding is the stigmatisation that still surrounds men who dare to talk about their mental struggles.

Men who are vocal about any kind of mental issues can be regarded as weak or inferior. As flawed, broken guys who are more likely to be ostracised for their honesty, instead of rewarded for their bravery. Instead of affording your fellow man compassion, we mock, belittle, and turn a blind eye.

We freely spit the phrase, “Man up,” as though your gender alone should be sufficed to guide you through your darkest times.

It's not normal to worry about something new every single day. If it interferes with your daily life, it's time to mention it to your doctor.  You may think it is natural to worry about loved ones or to catch a plane on time. Nevertheless, when worrying be­comes obsessive, and it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.