How To Stop Panic Attacks Easily By Controlling Your Breathing

October 25, 2010 by Guest Author  
Filed under Relaxation Breathing

Prevention is often the best cure to a problem and it’s also true for panic attacks. Once a panic attack has started however, no amount of prevention can help the person who experiences one. That’s why even if you don’t personally suffer from anxiety attacks, knowing how to stop panic attacks can be very important to the people around you if they experience them regularly.

Breathing problems are one of the most common symptoms that take place during a panic attack. It can feel similar to asthma where the airways feel restricted. A panic attack can feel very unusual. A lot of people think they’re having a heart attack when in actuality it is just a panic attack and is ultimately harmless to your well-being. Some people can actually fear that they will stop breathing during a panic attack. Dizziness and a racing heart are also very common symptoms. There are some very useful ways for stopping panic attacks in their tracks, particularly their breathing symptoms, which are also known as hyperventilation. Let’s look at some helpful ways on how to stop panic attacks by focusing on breathing and stopping hyperventilation.

1. There is something called the 7/11 technique. This basically involves breathing in to a count of seven, and then exhaling to a count of eleven. There is an explanation to these specific numbers. The reason you exhale more with this exercise is because exhaling stimulates the relaxation response in your body. Try this out if you suffer from a panic attack, or get someone else to try it if they are suffering from one.

2. While using a paper bag, breathe in and out heavily but slowly. You end up breathing in the carbon dioxide you’re releasing, which actually brings your blood oxygen level back to normal. Keep some paper bags handy at home, as well as in your car and at the place you work if possible. This is a common remedy because it works well.

3. If you want to stop panic attacks, the more tricks you have in your sleeve the better. Many people will have different results depending on the tips, so it’s worth your time to try many different things to stop your panic attacks. Another trick is to actually hold your breath for ten or fifteen seconds if you think you can do it. By doing so, you’ll bring down your blood oxygen level back to normal. Repeat the exercise many times until you stop feeling dizzy.

4. Another thing that can help alleviate your symptoms is if you do some basic physical exercises while breathing through your nose. Most people think that they must sit down and stay still to calm their symptoms when they feel a panic attack coming. It isn’t always the case. For many, doing basic physical exercises while breathing through the nose can be very helpful. For example, you could try slow jogging, pacing quickly or even walking up and down the stairs.

Practicing breathing exercises regularly will help you feel more relaxed in your life. If you follow one or more of the above tips, you will learn how to dominate your anxiety and panic attacks instead of letting them dominate you.

Find out more about how to stop panic attacks and get plenty of principles to take care of panic and anxiety attacks completely.

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