Having a panic attack can be very uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. Most people still have not heard about panic attacks, so they are not sure how to help you deal with them. Here are some effective ways to handle panic attacks so that you feel better when you have them.

Join online panic attack support groups to find people just like you who are going through the same situation. Often they’ll share all sorts of ideas that you can be confident will work because the people posting them are living proof. So, it’s a great piece of information to help you get through the worst of times.

Stay positive during a panic attack! Think about the people you love and how luck you are to have them in your life. Remember your favorite foods, or the places you love to visit, and take your mind there. Think of some awesome things that have happened to you and remember how they felt. Your attack will pass in no time!

Some people experience panic attacks while driving or riding in a car. Should this happen to you, opening the car windows a bit for some fresh air on your face should help. If it’s summertime, crank the air conditioning for a bit which should cool your head and calm your nerves. If you are flying, open the overhead fan all the way to cool yourself and calm down.

When having a panic attack you can close your eyes and imagine your body as a sponge. Starting with your feet imagine ringing out the sponge and letting all the stress, tension, and fear drip out. Move up your body and ring out every part, washing away all the bad feelings, until you reach your head and feel better.

To prevent panic attacks, avoid taking on unnecessary responsibilities that will add to your overall stress level. It is important to be assertive about your needs and your limitations to prevent overloading yourself, which can make panic attacks more likely. Learning to say “no” can go a long way in preventing attacks.

A great technique when you have a panic attack is to visualize yourself as a bird. Fly through the blue, clear sky on the wind until you reach a beautiful meadow. Fly into the meadow and through the grass, watching it sway in the breeze. When you concentrate on all the details you’re seeing you’ll forget about the panic attack altogether.

Find a counselor who specializes in anxiety and panic disorders to help you manage your stress and learn to cope with attacks. Talking to a professional can help you understand the root causes of your panic disorder, and can give you a neutral outlet for solving stressful problems that contribute to your panic attacks.

Pick up a self-help book on panic attacks. Remember to read each word as you come to it, focus on understanding each sentence, and then each paragraph. Go back over the words until you really feel confident that you know what the author is saying.

Remember when you are having a panic attack the feelings that you have are normal. They are just being expressed in an exaggerated form. Do not think that you are going to die from them or they will harm you. Try your best to remain logical about the situation.

When experiencing a panic attack you should use deep breathing techniques, but not for too long at one time. Do ten deep breaths and then wait ten minutes before you start again. Spacing them out will help to keep your body relaxed and the panic attack away for the rest of the day.

Don’t worry about being perfect! Is anyone you know perfect? Perfection is the invention of people who want to hold you down, and your mind will grasp onto such an idea and torture you with it. Let perfection go and instead embrace “good enough.” As long as things are good enough you’ll get by!

A good way to help get the upper hand over your anxiety is to try and visit a psychologist or a psychiatrist. These medical professionals can help you understand what the root of your problem is, which can help you relax in the long run. Try this today.

When you have a panic attack it’s time to redecorate! Move your furniture around, or start sketching a new design. Focus your energy into making your house more beautiful and you’ll have something to be proud of when you’re done, plus your panic attack will be over and you will have forgotten it every happened!

Of course, consulting a doctor is the first thing you should do, but after you’ve talked to him, make sure to use these tips as a blueprint. Panic attacks can be unpleasant, but you are strong enough to handle them–especially once you arm yourself with the right kind of information.

Ideas On Dealing With Panic Attacks was originally published on Spring