Millions of people suffer anxiety attacks. There are hundreds of methods used to cope. If you are having an anxiety attack and don't know what to do, here are a few methods to relieve the panic. To make it a little more interesting here are tips as told through spongebob gifs.
1. Take a deep breath.
The first thing to do is to take slow and deep breaths. Remember to focus on inhaling and exhaling. If you close your eyes nothing can distract you from directing your attention to breathing.
2. Sit down.
Find the nearest chair or couch to sit on. Sometimes standing up or pacing around the room can make it difficult to control the panic. Staying still is beneficial to focusing in on the anxiety and working to let it go.
3. Move.
For other people, moving around helps. A work-out can release stress and tension. People tend to go out for a light jog or a fast run to calm down. A lot of people will go to the gym to lift weights or go on treadmills. This relieves the panic feeling by being active.
4. Trick yourself.
Many people try to use the distraction of numbers as a trick. A few ways are counting backwards from one hundred by threes, and/or holding your breath and counting to five or seven. By doing this you are directing all your attention to calculating the math in your head. This will adjust the panic to something else and ultimately erase the current anxiety.
5. Take a shower.
Jumping into a steaming hot shower can release a lot of tension. A nice long shower or bath can be both beneficial and satisfying.
6. Be productive.
Get things done! If you have a list of stuff to do, do it! Some people read or draw to distract themselves. Others keep a journal or notebook. Writing down your thoughts on paper can help to reduce the anxiety.
7. Sleep.
Lay down, turn off the lights and take a nap. Sleeping will take your mind off of things. Your body gets rest and you can wake up feeling peaceful. If you don’t get enough sleep it can cause the attacks. Your body needs rest to function daily. Give yourself time to let go and drift off into a slumber.
8. Turn on the television.
" The Office," "Seinfeld", "Friends," and other TV shows are a positive way of dealing with an anxiety attack. Putting on your favorite television show can help you deal with panic and stress. Television gets your mind off of whatever you're thinking about.
9. Drink water.
It is not good to be dehydrated when you're having an attack. It can even make the anxiety worse. Grab a bottle or glass and you may find that it will help.
10. Call a friend/family member.
There is always someone right around the corner who is willing to help. If you don’t know what to do family members and friends are some of the people who know you the best. They are your support! You can always text or call when you need them.
11. Let it out.
Sometimes it's not good to hold it all in. You can't always fight the feeling so why not let it all out. Go to a quiet area and make sure that no one is around. Scream, cry, throw things, do what you need as long as it is safe. This can make you feel a lot better once it is all released.
Taking part in any of these strategies can drastically help to reduce the panic of an anxiety attack. Hopefully, next time you will use one of these methods to help!
