If you have ever had a panic attack, you can appreciate how important it is to know how to cope with them – or if possible, prevent them. Here are a few great ways to deal with your panic attacks so that they don’t control you. Get control back with these tips.
Using tactics to distract yourself during a panic attack can help you calm down faster. Try counting backwards from 100 as quickly as you can. Work on a complex math problem. Turn on the radio, and sing along to a song that you know. Concentrate on eating an apple. Do a crossword puzzle. Anything that requires focus and clear thinking is going to help you take your mind off of your anxiety and channel it into an activity that will help you relax.
Regulating the food you eat can help you to cut back on the panic attacks that you have. You should not eat overly processed foods as they can cause your blood sugar to spike. Keeping your blood sugar at stable levels can help to decrease the amount of panic attacks that you experience.
Panic attacks are terrifying because the person experiencing them has the sudden overwhelming fear that they are going to die. The important thing to remember about panic attacks is that you can control them cognitively. Your brain is taking normal everyday stimuli (a shift in the road while driving, for example), and interpreting them in a fearful way. You can course-correct this fearful interpretation by trying to recall what the source of that stimulus could be. This will reduce your fear and your panic should subside somewhat.
If you begin to feel panic attacks when you are in high pressure situations like public speaking events, then you should try to understand that the situation is only temporary and that life goes on. As you get placed in more situations like these, you will become more relaxed and happy.
In the middle of a panic attack, visualize a peaceful scene. It may be hard to do this at first, but with a little practice you will be able to ride out a panic attack by visualizing a peaceful place and allowing yourself to relax until the panic attack subsides.
Making certain changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of having another panic attack. Panic attacks are characterized by surges of adrenalin. By engaging in regular exercise, you can safely burn off any excess adrenaline. Cigarette and alcohol use should be eliminated or severely restricted. Reduce the sugar and processed foods in your diet and eat regular, well-balanced meals. A healthy body and a healthy mind often go hand in hand.
If you’re feeling a panic attack come on, do something! Wash the dishes, take a bath, go for a long walk, but make sure you do something that either burns up your excess energy or helps to calm you down. Take the long walk and then follow it up with the long bath!
When you begin to feel tension and panic you should try watching a funny video on TV or on the internet. Make sure that you laugh out loud. The act of laughing and opening up will help you relax and will release hormones that will make your worries disappear.
Try these tips to deal with panic attacks. Each one may not work for you, as everyone is different. However, take the tips that work for you and use them as defense against the panic attacks that threaten you. Conquer them and you’ll be able to live your life again.
