Panic attacks can be scary and overwhelming. If you commonly suffer from panic attacks, there are things that you can do to help cope with them and to avoid the overwhelming feelings. This article is filled with valuable information that may help you manage your panic attacks a little better.

Some processed foods, and many fast food items, can actually trigger panic attacks. I won’t name the company, but there is a type of fried chicken that would cause my heart to start palpitating within 30 minutes of eating it! Stick to wholesome, fresh foods you prepare yourself to avoid an attack.

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.

Realize that feelings are just feelings and that they can’t harm you while you’re having a panic attack. Stand still for just one minute and let the feelings drain out of your body. Try to blank your mind out and then replace those bad thoughts with positive ones about the people you love.

When you are having a panic attack, do your best to prevent the symptoms from overcoming you. Go with it and let it happen, rather than attempting to fight it. Use mind over matter to convince yourself that the feelings are outside of your body and not swarming within it. Most of all, however, focus on the way you are breathing. Breath in and then exhale slowly, as a way to stay calm. Once your blood pressure starts to lower, your body will relax.

Understand a panic attack. When you better understand a panic attack and the symptoms, the better you will be able to cope with it. The simple answer is – you cause it. Anxiety causes strange body symptoms, and a person reacts to those symptoms by becoming more and more anxious. You can become so overwhelmed that it causes a full blown panic attack. By addressing the initial anxiety and understanding what is happening, you can take control and avoid getting to the point of a panic attack.

Always give yourself rewards for getting over a panic attack! Think about all the techniques that you used and how successful they were, and how you’ll use them again if you have to – but you really won’t have to because you’re going to work hard on keeping healthy in the meantime!

Don’t just listen to music when you’re having a panic attack, get up and dance! Dance is a great way to exercise and get rid of the adrenaline absorbed by your body, ending your attack in a most enjoyable way. If you know that you get to dance when you have an attack you won’t feel so scared about it!

Panic attacks feel different for each person, to know if you suffer from them, here are some common panic attack symptoms: hyperventilation, dizziness, heightened or irrational fear, chest pain, an erratic heartbeat, rising heat in your face, impaired vision, and tingling in your extremities. While each person experiences panic in a different way, knowing the signs of an oncoming attack can help you to prepare yourself.

Do not complicate the situation by adding more negative feelings and unpleasant thoughts. Try to force your mind to think about all the positive aspects in your life and the things that mean the most to you. Write them down and carry them with you, so that you can read them if your thoughts start racing.

If you are a person that is particularly prone to panic attacks and anxiety, then you should try using aromatherapy. There are several scents that have been shown to help ease your mind and help you release the tension from your body. Try aromatherapy to help you relax more easily.

When self-help and coping strategies are not enough, see your doctor for help in managing your panic attacks. There are a number of anti-anxiety drugs that can be prescribed temporarily or long-term that can help you to remain calm and relaxed, even when you face stressful or triggering situations.

Talk to your doctor about switching up your diet if you want to get healthier and stop panic attacks. He can refer you to a nutritionist who can help you balance out your meals in a way that will work for your lifestyle and body type, leading to less stress and more happiness.

The information that has been provided above should help you learn how to manage a panic attack and decrease the amount of time it lingers. You need to take control of the situation, if you want to be over the attack, in as short of an amount of time as humanly possible.

When Panic Strikes, Strike Back With These Helpful Tips! was originally published on Spring