How to Stop Anxiety Attacksby Louise Audris

When a panic attack happens it is so frightening that it leaves you anxious and worried that it might happen again. Worrying that another anxiety attack might happen increases the chances that it will. There are some simple lifestyle changes that you can make that will reduce the frequency and intensity anxiety symptoms and panic attacks.

Learn relaxation techniques and practice regularly. Relaxation can learned. You will learn how to control your breathing and how to relax tense muscles. Going to a relation class is a good way to learn how to breath slowly and relax deeply. Practice regular relaxation. Even 20 minutes a day can make a difference if you do it regularly.

Stop ingesting any stimulants. Stimulants act on your body to increase alertness and arousal. People who have anxiety symptoms often have a higher level of alertness and arousal then people who don not have anxiety. Eliminate coffee, excess sugar, energy drink that contain caffeine or guarana and reduce or stop smoking. You may need to reduce your intake slowly so that your body does not have withdrawal symptoms. All these substance can mimic the symptoms of anxiety and increase anxiety symptoms.

Exercise every day. Exercise will help you to use up the extra energy and adrenalin in your body that anxiety creates. You do not have to spend money to exercise. Begin with a 20 minute brisk walk and build up from there. This is a very important part of coping with panic attacks and anxiety.

Recognise and challenge anxious thoughts. With practice you will learn to stop having so many anxious thoughts. Write them down and see how realistic they are. Learn not to go over and over anxious thoughts. If you start to do that (ruminate) then get up and do some exercise or distract yourself with another task that requires some concentration.

Recognise other feelings as well as anxiety that you have. Learn to recognise what different feelings (anger, happiness, grief) feel like in your body. Find ways to express you feelings appropriately. Assertiveness training is very helpful for people with anxiety symptoms and panic attacks.

There are many simple steps that you can take to cope with panic attacks and anxiety symptoms. By making some changes to your lifestyle you can gain more control and reduce the effects of anxiety. To get help you can see a counselor who treats anxiety or if that is nor possible you can try a professional home study course for panic attacks.


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