Lots of people tend to use the terms "anxiety" and "stress" interchangeably, but they are in fact two separate conditions. Stress is a reaction to a stimulus, either external or internal. You may experience stress because you are frustrated with something (like waiting in line behind a slow person) or when you are worried that you will not meet expectations (such as missing a deadline at work).

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a sense of dread, or nervousness and fear. It can be brought on by negative thoughts and expectations, or as a reaction to stress. You may experience feelings of anxiety virtually all of the time and not know why, or your worry may be a reaction to something you are nervous about, such as an upcoming exam.

Abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain can cause generalized anxiety. Some research indicates that anxiety can be brought on genetically. Anxiety can also be induced environmentally, as when the child of a parent who is often anxious becomes an anxious person by observing the parent. But very often the root cause of anxiety is simply the thoughts that a person is thinking!

Stress and anxiety are subjective conditions. Different people may feel stressed about different situations, and different people may react to their anxiousness in extremely different ways.

Symptoms of anxiety can range from the mild, such as tense muscles and sweaty hands, to the severe, such as vomiting, anxiety attacks, and irregular heartbeat. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety from time to time. We have all experienced the dry mouth and "butterflies in the stomach" before a test or public speaking engagement.

But when does it become damaging to your health? Studies indicate that prolonged anxiety can lead to sleep disorders, depression, high blood pressure, and relationship problems For sufferers of chronic untreated anxiety, there can be negative health consequences that have yet to be fully explored. Some studies have found a link between chronic anxiety and a variety of serious health conditions including cancer, arthritis, respiratory illness, thyroid disease, and heart disease.

Chronically anxious people may even be more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack. If you suffer from what seems like an inappropriately high amount of anxiety relative to the situation, or if you feel anxious nearly every day, you may actually have an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are chronic conditions characterized by one's inability to function normally because of frequent anxiety. Anxiety disorders are serious conditions that should be treated to lower the risk of long-term effects. Anxiety treatment has long been the subject of much debate in the medical community.

Some medical professionals believe that medication is the best method to treat chronic anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety medications often produce side effects that are just as bad as or even worse than the initial affliction.

There are many safe and natural ways to control negative emotional reactions. Exercise is an often overlooked option, but it is highly effective in managing stress and anxiety. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting and pain-killing chemicals. With regular aerobic exercise, you may begin to see a dramatic decrease in negative emotional responses to situations that would previously have made you very anxious.

The most effective way to deal with worry and tension is to control it from the inside out. Stress management and stress relief techniques are extremely valuable tools in managing day to day stress. These techniques can teach you to relax yourself and let the tension leave your body. You make a conscious effort to slow your breathing, release the tension, and maintain a tranquil state of mind. Meditation is an excellent form of tension control in which you focus on thoughtful relaxation and deep, calming breathing.

However, if you are looking for a proactive way to free yourself of anxiety, hypnotherapy is the most effective form of treatment. When a person undergoes hypnosis, their emotional responses and reactions to events are changed at the core. This allows them to deal with anxiety-inducing triggers without the usual nervousness and fear. Hypnosis is typically performed by a licensed hypnotherapist in a series of regular sessions.

More commonly today, hypnotherapy is available in the form of self hypnosis programs which are available in the form of DVDs, MP3s, or CDs for individual home use. No special skills are needed to practice self hypnosis. All you need is a way to play the hypnotherapy program and a quiet space where you can relax and listen.

Another successful type of anxiety treatment is Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or NLP. NLP is a form of therapy that helps you condition your mind and body to naturally react to situations in a more positive way. You can consciously decide to remain calm rather than anxious, which means that you always have control over your own emotions.

It is evident that it is important to control our negative emotional responses in order to stay healthy. Understanding how to cope with fear and nervousness can even extend your life. To treat long term anxiety, the best treatment option to follow is to use hypnosis to change your attitudes and reactions at the core. Then, practice stress management techniques as necessary to remain calm in everyday situations. Alan B. Densky is an NGH certified hypnotherapist. He offers a complete line of anxiety management hypnosis CDs, and advanced anxiety management CDs through his Neuro-VISION self hypnosis website. You can visit his video hypnosis blog, and download a free MP3.download a free MP3.