Anxiety is the psychological manifestation of fears, "what fear feels like". The interesting thing about the chronic anxiety issues that affect over 40 million Americans, is that, in addition to being activated psychologically, as a result of circumstances, they can also be initiated from the physical body itself. Low blood sugar, reduced oxygen and toxins from the digestive system are all biochemical phenomena that can cause anxiety.
That means we can address anxiety from two directions outside-in and inside-out. The former involves eliminating whatever is causing our distress: our jobs, bills, relationships. These kinds of strategies can be helpful, but because circumstances are always changing, they're never going to be permanently effective.
On the other hand, "inside-out" involves adjusting our internal chemistry and physiology. When we eat less sugar, slow deep breathe or eliminate problem foods, our brain will read the changes in the biochemistry triggered by these techniques and anxiety will subside.
Just changing our posture can decrease anxiety. Merely holding a pose of confidence for just two minutes can significantly increase the hormones of well-being testosterone, oxytocin, dopamine and at the same time reduce anxiety inducing cortisol levels in both brain and body.
