Dealing with anxiety can really be difficult. Some people with anxiety disorder can experience symptoms that may already affect their quality of life and prevent them from functioning normally. 

Emotional symptoms of anxiety can appear as excessive worrying, fatigue, panic attacks, poor concentration, insomnia, or irritability. On the other hand, physical symptoms may appear as extreme chest pains, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, sweating or shortness of breath.

If you are experiencing most of these symptoms, you may be experiencing anxiety. The best solution for this is to get checked by professionals. But, if you find yourself experiencing these symptoms, it is also helpful to remember the following coping mechanisms to ease anxiety:

1. Be physically active

One of the easiest hacks to feel better is to exercise. When you work out, you provide a jolt to the brain’s reward centers—the system of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure, feel motivated, and maintain hope. When you work out regularly, the brain remodels the reward system, leading to higher circulating levels of dopamine, or called the happy hormones.

2. Quit alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes

These three things might give you the feeling of relief for a short time, but these may actually worsen your anxiety. If stopping using these substances are hard for you, it is probably best to reach out to support groups or therapies like with Everyday Empathy

3. Do relaxation and stress management techniques

When the brain is filled with negative thoughts, doing yoga or meditation techniques can effectively help ease anxiety. Meditation, visualization, and focusing on breathing can help with letting go of feeling of worry and fear.

4. Eat healthy foods

Remember the saying, “you are what you eat”? Well, it is true because what you eat can be the reason for your mood. According to research, a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish may be linked to reduced anxiety and depression.

Another quick dopamine hack is eating spicy foods. In response to the pain of eating spicy food, the brain releases hormones like endorphins and dopamine which makes you feel euphoria similar to a runner’s high.

5. Get quality sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep for your age can be helpful in lessening the feelings of anxiety. Do what you can to make sure you’re getting enough sleep to feel rested. If you find it hard to sleep or stay asleep, it is best that you talk with a professional.

6. Learn about your disorder

The best way to deal with your condition is to talk about it with professionals. In this way, you will learn your triggers and how to properly deal with it – may it be with medication or therapy. Seeking support might be difficult at first for some, but this is the best way to deal with how you are feeling.

7. Stick to your treatment plan

If you are undergoing treatment with healthcare providers, do your best to take medications as directed. Complete your therapy and do your therapy assignments. When dealing with anxiety, consistency in your treatment can make a big difference.

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RedRover has teamed up with Belleville Humane Society to create a program to help domestic abuse survivors keep their pets. RedRover`s and Belleville Humane Society`s research shows that 48 percent of domestic violence survivors are hesitant to leave an abusive relationship, because they don`t want to abandon their pets.

bellevilleareahumanesociety.com

BAHS is seeking foster homes to care for these animals while their original survivors can return. BAHS will provide vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries and heartworm treatments while in foster care.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Belleville Humane Society Program, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to enriching the lives of homeless and abandoned pets in Belleville and surrounding areas. There are various ways that anyone can be involved, including volunteering, donating, attending events or participating in fundraisers. Doing good while meeting like-minded individuals is truly rewarding; volunteering here also has an engaging staff which makes volunteering much more than an obligation. Looking for the ideal animal shelter in Belleville? Look no further than the Belleville Humane Society. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you step by step through the volunteer experience so that there will never be any doubt in your mind if what you are doing is correct. Our website also contains all of the information you need to get started. Soon, you will be an enthusiastic volunteer.

Fostering

Foster carer provide temporary homes to animals in need, enabling them to live out their lives free of being euthanized. Furthermore, they teach invaluable socialization techniques which will make the animal in their care a more adoptable companion pet.

Belleville Humane Society Program relies upon foster families to care for Betty White, as well as many other abused or abandoned animals. Foster families also help shelter animals who no longer have owners. Anyone interested in fostering a dog can fill out an application, or they can visit Gateway Pet Guardians on Thursdays between 9am-5pm to pick up a foster dog. Become part of BAHS`s dedicated team!

Fostering may take commitment, but it is a rewarding way to help a rescue animal find a permanent home. Each foster animal has different requirements and preferences; some need intensive attention such as spaying before adoption while others can stay longer while you work on training or behavior modification while waiting for an adopter.

Adoptions

The Belleville Humane Society Program strives to enhance animal lives in our community through adoption, humane education and outreach activities such as emergency sheltering; spay/neuter programs; trap/neuter/return; compassionate care funds; pet food and supply pantries; volunteer opportunities and animal advocacy.

Adopting from the Belleville Humane Society Program means your adopted pet will receive top-of-the-line medical care before finding its forever home. Before placing our adoptable cats and dogs in their forever homes, we carefully screen them according to temperaments, age, breeds, health concerns and socialization abilities.

Interested in adopting a dog or cat through our program? Contact an adoption counselor. They`ll set up a meeting between you and the pet, which should be smooth if things go according to plan. If everything goes well, they will finalize your adoption. This process may take up to several days – we hope that soon you may consider welcoming one of these wonderful creatures into your home!

Donations

Belleville Humane Society is in need of a wide range of services, including food and supplies, veterinary care, and training. Using the Grey Muzzle grant, they have taken on a new exciting challenge by launching an outreach program that targets senior dogs.

The community-based pet pantry has even been awarded a Best in Show Award. Only four shelters in the country were given this honor.

Help the Belleville Humane Society and its programs by giving a monetary donation or volunteering your time and talents. It`s never too early to be a champion of animals. Join the animal welfare community, made up by people like yourself who want to make a difference! See you soon at the shelter; have fun while volunteering, be sure to tell us about it so we know about how your contribution may have an impactful result!