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Posts with tag phobia

Gym newbies must read this

Posted: May 1st 2008 7:00AM by Jacki Donaldson
Filed under: Fitness

Gyms and fitness centers may not be for everyone. But they are convenient locations for working out -- think weights, treadmills, rowing machines, yoga, exercise classes, trainers, scales, and locker rooms with showers. They also can be pretty intimidating for newbies.

"Gym phobia is not at all uncommon among people who don't have gym experience," writes Scott Saifer at Divine Caroline. With this in mind, he offers two basic tips for overcoming gym anxiety.

  • Adopt a "beginners mind," admit you're new to the gym scene, and ask for help. Everyone in the gym was a newbie at one time.

  • Locate a staff member -- a trainer, nutritionist, membership counselor -- who can teach you how to navigate the gym, how to use the equipment, how to eat right.

Within a few weeks or months of gym visits, you'll blend in, pick up the jargon, develop a routine, and start to show some muscle. And one day, you'll be the pro other newbies seek.

Wait, I have one more tip: Join us for America Takes It Off and gather some momentum for your gym adventures and more.

60 Unusual phobias you may not know about

Posted: Jan 11th 2008 9:32AM by Adams Briscoe
Filed under: Emotional Health, General Health

Many of us have a fear of something; maybe it's the fear of heights. Or how about the infamous arachnophobia -- that's not uncommon either. But have you ever heard of deipnophobia? It's the fear of dinner conversations during a social scene (I wonder if Thanksgiving at the in-laws would count).

Here's an astonishingly long list of unusual phobias you may have never heard of -- or perhaps you actually know someone who exhibits these symptoms! For example, if you know a person who breaks out in cold sweats as soon as they go inside, perhaps they'll make a quick escape because they have domatophobia. That's the irrational fear of houses, or being trapped in one. Have you ever eaten peanut butter and had it stick to the roof of your mouth? That's a fear all in itself called arachibutyrophobia.

Another one that may be slightly more common than the others on the list is paraskavedekatriaphobia -- the fear of Friday the 13th. If you couldn't pronounce that the first time, you're not alone. Some of these descriptions may sound crazy or made up. Like philemaphobia, for example, which is the irrational fear of kissing. But you can bet there's a phobia for just about everything. Check out the list for even more fears.

The most popular phobias

Posted: Dec 14th 2006 8:13PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Emotional Health

Whether it's fear of that big spider in the bathroom or anxiety related to giving a speech at a relative's wedding, we all feel afraid sometimes. Fear is an ancient emotion designed to warn of potential danger -- fear causes extra caution, preparation, and sometimes even avoidance of the situation altogether. But although most of the "scary" situations we face in today's world are not life threatening, that doesn't mean they aren't well-founded or don't serve us a useful purpose.

For example, being afraid of that spider in the bathroom is actually an instinctual and learned response to the fact that some spiders are poisonous. But unfortunately, most of us can't just "turn if off," and I still think spiders are creepy and scary -- even when I get a good look at one and realize it's not the dangerous kind.

Snakes and spiders are a big one when it comes to the most commonly shared fears, but some other common causes of anxiety are public speaking, heights, and closed or tight spaces. I don't personally have any actual phobias, although I am afraid -- to some extent -- in most of the situations on the list!



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