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Wendy Rush

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There Is Now A Blood Test For Anxiety

Wendy Rush March 8th

Research teams out of Indiana University School of Medicine have recently announced a new blood test developed to identify anxiety.

Neurosciencenews.com reported the tests measure and study biomarkers in their subject. And by examining these biomarkers, researchers can learn a lot about a patient’s mental health.

When examining the biomarkers in the subject, researchers are able to measure the level of anxiety in a person. What’s more interesting is the biomarkers can also help determine a person’s risk for developing worse anxiety.

And probably the most encouraging part is that the test can also help a person discover the best way to treat their anxiety. Of the millions of people who struggle with anxiety, many are prescribed medication. And some of these medications have serious side effects or addictive qualities.

But there are many cases of anxiety that don’t benefit from medication at all.

Some forms of anxiety don’t respond to medication like others do. And some can simply be treated with cognitive behavior therapy or lifestyle changes. The new blood test can help doctors determine which treatment plans would be best for a specific patient. And whether or not that person would benefit at all from medicine.

Many cases of anxiety are not properly diagnosed.

Some cases of anxiety lead to panic attacks, which look a lot like a heart attack. If a person has had their biomarkers examined, they can be more prepared to handle the symptoms of anxiety. This is just one example of the benefits of a test like this.

MindXSciences have gotten in on the test making too. Now that is has proven successful on the research level, MindXSciences is developing it to be used on a broader scale. Their goal is to make it available for doctors to use on their patients. It will help them better match a medication to their patient and preemptively control future anxiety risks and side effects.

– Wendy Rush

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5 Easy Ways To Manage Stress

Stress is a part of daily life. More so than it ever has been in the past. With instant messaging, working from home and other technological advances, we are always available. That means expectations of us are high, and patience in those waiting on us is low. Having to manage stress has become the norm.

Now we can’t hate on stress itself. It’s not the bad guy. In fact, stress serves a very important purpose. When a stressor in our environment occurs, our bodies respond with a release of stress hormones. These are the little guys responsible for those bursts of energy that wins the race, or the adrenaline rush you need to lift a car off someone. In small doses, stress is awesome because it makes us capable of great things.

On the flip side, stress that never goes away is bad. Think of stress like your parents visiting for the weekend from their long-distance home. At first, it’s great to see them! You feel all warm and fuzzy when they show up on Friday night. But by Sunday afternoon, you’re ready to kick them out of the car without even slowing down.

Chronic stress, that is stress that doesn’t go away, can have serious negative health effects. Chronic stress has been linked to things like diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease. Some experts have even linked it to cancer.

Of course exercise is the first thing people suggest to bring those stress hormones down. Exercise releases endorphins that help you manage stressful situations more easily. Aerobic exercises like running, dancing, swimming or biking are some of the most beneficial ways to get those feel-good chemicals flowing.

But there are other, less rigorous methods to lower stress. So if you’re not a cardio buff like some of us (I’m NOT raising my hand here), here’s a list of other things you can do.

–Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas

  • 1. Breathing

    Mindful young woman breathing out with closed eyes, calming down in stressful situation, working on computer in modern kitchen. Millennial hispanic lady managing stress, practice yoga at home office.

    Breathing is an excellent way to manage stress in any situation. Just sit in a comfortable chair or lie down. Breathe in while counting to 3 and out while counting to 4. This tells your body to slow down and relax.

  • 2. Yoga

    Serenity And Mindfulness Concept. Portrait of calm smiling African American female holding hands in prayer pose, keeping palms together, meditating, practicing Kundalini Yoga.

    Yoga has pretty much been dubbed the poster child of relaxation. And for good reason. Yoga combines the discipline of the body with the focus of the mind. And it incorporates lots of breathing. Which we’ve already mentioned is great for stress-relief.

  • 3. Nature Walk

    A happy senior woman with dog on a walk outdoors in forest, resting.

    Have you ever wondered why some cities have super chill people living there? Pay attention to how much nature they are surrounded by. Spending some time in nature has been found to help a variety of mental health issues, like anxiety and depression. Taking a walk through trees or along a water bank can have significant stress-relieving benefits.

  • 4. Tai Chi

    Handsome man exercising Tai Chi in the park.

    Much like Yoga, Tai Chi is a practice that combines body and mind with a series of breathing and poses. Tai Chi is usually gentler than Yoga, so it’s great for the elderly or people with physical limitations. But it has great benefits for anyone who wants to incorporate it into their lives.

  • 5. Gardening

    Plant in soil. Happy appealing woman smiling broadly while putting little green plant in the soil for the first time in her life

    This one might comes as a surprise. But have you ever noticed you’re sore after an afternoon of gardening? There’s a lot of stretching, bending and holding core poses involved in it. Digging and carrying around pottery also works out those arms and elevates your heartrate. Plus, with the added benefit of being around nature, it’s like a twofer!

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