intransitive verb. : to ski directly down a slope at high speed.

: having skin that has been made brown by the sun. : covered with a material that makes something appear to be made of bronze.

“Piste” is the French word for groomed trail or slope.

: a confused mixture : hodgepodge.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is one of the longest words in the dictionary — and, in an ironic twist, is the name for a fear of long words. Sesquipedalophobia is another term for the phobia.

What is a phobia? Almost everyone has an irrational fear or two—of spiders, for example, or your annual dental checkup. For most people, these fears are minor. But when fears become so severe that they cause tremendous anxiety and interfere with your normal life, they’re called phobias.

“Generally, phobias will probably improve with age, but if your phobia has anything to do with being vulnerable, such as heights or big crowds, it will probably get worse.”

We are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds.

• Innate fears. A 1960 study evaluated depth perception among 6- to14-month-old infants, as well as young animals.
• Learned fears. Most fear is learned.
• How does the brain process fear?

Almost all phobias can be successfully treated and cured. Simple phobias can be treated through gradual exposure to the object, animal, place or situation that causes fear and anxiety. This is known as desensitisation or self-exposure therapy.

Sadly, chronic anxiety does more than affect your life quality. It can also significantly shorten your lifespan. Anxiety that’s experienced all of the time is also a doorway to drug or alcohol addiction. Many people who suffer from chronic anxiety use drugs or alcohol to promote feelings of relief.

The peak ages for anxiety are typically between the ages of 5-7 years old and adolescence. However, everyone is different, and your anxiety can peak at various times, depending on what triggers it initially. Merely feeling anxious is the body’s response to danger as the fight-or-flight hormone kicks in.

There is even a field of study called thanatology which examines the human reaction to death and dying. Some interesting findings have emerged from studying the fear of death. According to the 2017 “Survey of American Fears” conducted by Chapman University,1 20.3% of Americans are “afraid” or “very afraid” of dying.

Ways to calm stress in 10 minutes

1. Go for a walk. Exercise or walking is a great way to manage stress.
2. Memorize this yoga routine.
3. Intervene with mindfulness-based, stress-reduction techniques.
4. Write it out.
5. Try 4-7-8 breathing.
6. Try the emotional freedom technique (EFT)
7. Talk in third person.

Calming Tea: The 5 Best Teas for Anxiety and Stress

1. Mint Teas. Mint teas are full of relaxing effects, helping to soothe the body and calm the mind.
2. Chamomile Teas. Chamomile is well-known for its relaxing properties, and makes a soothing, aromatic cup of tea perfect for any time of day.
3. Lavender Teas.
4. Rose Teas.
5. Matcha.

6 research-backed ways to de-stress in 5 minutes

1. Focus on your breathing.
2. Take a break from your phone.
3. Use an app to help you learn how to meditate.
4. Listen to a relaxing song.
5. Have a relaxing cup of tea.
6. Go outside for a few minutes.

Top 10 Drinks to Relieve Stress

• Overview.
• Water.
• Lemon Balm Tea.
• Chamomile Tea.
• Warm Milk.
• Tart Cherry Juice.
• Kava Tea.
• Green Tea.

8 Drinks That Calm

• of 9. The holidays are a time to indulge—in food, family, gifts, and yes, drinks. But running around on sugary, boozy beverages won’t leave you running very long.
• of 9. Green tea.
• of 9. Valerian.
• of 9. Cherry juice.
• of 9. Black tea.
• of 9. Milk.
• of 9. Chamomile.
• of 9. Water.

Oranges. You may think of vitamin C when you think of these citrus fruits, and that’s a big reason it might help your anxiety. Some studies have shown that a diet rich in it may help calm you and put you in a better frame of mind.

Numerous foods contain nutrients that may help you reduce stress. Matcha powder, fatty fish, kimchi, garlic, chamomile tea, and broccoli are just a few that may help. Try incorporating some of these foods and beverages into your diet to naturally promote stress relief.

If you eat lots of processed meat, fried food, refined cereals, candy, pastries, and high-fat dairy products, you’re more likely to be anxious and depressed. A diet full of whole fiber-rich grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish can help keep you on a more even keel.

These foods will boost your mood and make you happy

• Quinoa.
• Salmon.
• Mushrooms.
• Dark chocolate.
• Foods with probiotics – i.e. kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut.
• B6 vitamins – poultry, leafy greens, beef.
• Grapes.
• Folic acid – bok choy, turnip greens.

This fruit contains phosphorous and iron and helps reduce oxidative stress. This, in turn, helps cell-regeneration which is known to be adversely affected in times of stress. As the skin is possibly the first to show signs of stress, apples can help counter that by helping build healthy skin and hair tissues.

Follow the 3-3-3 rule. Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm.

Include Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Fatty fish (anchovy, mackerel, salmon, sardines, shad, and tuna)
• Flaxseed.
• Canola and soybean oils.
• Nuts, especially walnuts.
• Dark green, leafy vegetables.

By writing down your worries, you feel as though you’re emptying your brain, and you feel lighter and less tense. Take time to acknowledge your worries and write them down. Explore the roots of your worries or problems. Once you know the most important things you worry about, ask yourself if your worries are solvable.