"There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed." --Ray Goforth

Have you been feeling down in the dumps lately? Maybe feeling a bit depressed or is your anxiety a tad more sensitive to your surroundings? Yeah, I have been there a lot recently, too. That is why I can say this: there is nothing in this world that can keep you down. You have hopes and dreams, just like I do; so use those to fuel your eternal flame.

Here are four steps to ease your anxiety as per Fox 13 Now:

Step One: Stop

Stop and notice, are you experiencing any of the following symptoms? Anxiety can manifest in several ways including, but not limited to:

• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Racing thoughts
• Difficulty focusing
• Feeling out of control
• Sweating
• Changes in body temperature
• Stomach or other body pain

The body is always trying to communicate with us.

Step Two: Breathe

Research shows that the breath is one of the quickest and most effective ways to calm an anxious nervous system. Take a breath, deep but comfortable, hold at the top for a second, and then release the breath slowly and easily, making an effort to push all the air out of your lungs. Then repeat. This will send a signal to your brain that it is okay to feel calm.

Step Three: Think

It is common for anxiety to result in racing thoughts about things we cannot control. Once you have taken a few deep breaths, imagine your thoughts flowing through your head and then letting them flow out of your head. See them, acknowledge them, and then let them pass by. Particularly when we are anxious, we tend to perceive that our thoughts are facts, especially the really scary ones. Seeing them come in and go out is a great practice anytime you notice your thoughts are crowding your brain and increasing your anxiety.

Step Four: Readjust

What is your anxiety trying to tell you? Are you having racing thoughts about things you can`t control? Are you overburdened with commitments? Are your expectations of yourself unrealistic?

Once you have determined your body is trying to tell you something through anxiety, try to determine the things in your life you need to readjust, particularly those things you are taking on that may simply be too much. If you are chronically taking on too much, the best way to reduce anxiety in the long term is to reduce the number of obligations, stressors and responsibilities on your plate. This may mean that you have to add the word 'No' to your vocabulary more often. If you are able to cut back and reprioritize, you will notice that you will have less anxiety and any anxiety that comes up will be easier to reduce.The body is always trying to communicate with us.

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." --Walt Disney

You are a strong human being, male, female, them, they, whichever fits who you as a person. There is nothing more that I want to see than to see each and every one of you succeed and achieve your dreams; fulfill your hopes. Life is not always going to be something worth living, but you have to push through that yuck and muck to get to the part worth living.

"Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life--think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success." --Swami Vivekananda