How to Work Through an Anxiety Attack

By 3Amy Jaine

You can work through it. You can work through it.

Rate: (27 Ratings)

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations. But when Anxiety attacks get in the way of every day life, there are steps you can take to get yourself under control.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

  • Determination.
Step1
The first step, is to recognize when you are having an anxiety attack. Don't worry you can work through it. Anxiety is a normal part of life, do not feel ashamed, this will only add to your anxiety. There are many ways to work through anxiety. Some are more common than others. The best way is to work through the process until you feel the anxiety lessoning. Don't give up.
Step2
Focus on your breathing, slow it down, inhaling deeply, then fully exhaling. Repeat as needed. This will help calm down anxiety symptoms, of a racing heart beat and tense muscles. Do not hold your breath.
Step3
Put a small amount of fragrance on your wrist. If I know I am going to be in a stressful situation, I bring a small tube of essential oil to use when anxiety strikes. Lavender, rosemary, and pine scents works well. This will help with anxiety symptoms of tight muscles and stress headaches.
Step4
When anxiety is overcoming you due to feeling under pressure, try self acupressure. Massage the webbed area on you left hand between the thumb and index finger. Tighten your grip on it, you are not doing it right unless you are feeling a good sized pitch. Do this for five minutes. This can easily be done when in a meeting with your boss. Just put your hands under the table and keep focused on the meeting. After a few minutes you will notice the pain and tension due to anxiety is going away.
Step5
When you get home and are still feeling a bit anxious, take a nice warm bath. Add some bubbles and take a long soak. Play calming music and light a few scented candles. Don't focus on your day, but instead focus on a dream or goal you have. Think about relaxing on the beach looking into a clear sky.

Tips & Warnings

  • Anxiety is a natural human reaction that involves mind and body. It serves an important basic survival function: Anxiety is an alarm system that is activated whenever a person perceives danger or threat.
  • It is normal to worry when you feel rushed and overwhelmed. However if this feels like it is taking over your life there is help.
  • When preparing for a potential high stress situation in your home, put out small bowls of apple-cinnamon potpourri. This helps give the home a no stress atmosphere.
  • Regular exercise, good nutrition, and a full nights sleep will provide your body and brain with the right fuel to help coupe with anxiety.
  • Difficulty sleeping due to obsessive thoughts and spending large amounts of time worrying about small things or previous events may be symptoms of a anxiety problem or disorder. At this point it would be wise to contact your family doctor.
  • Don't reach for high sugar based food, fried food, sodas, white flour based products, or potato chips. These types of food tends increase blood sugar in the blood stream and causes anxiety to increase.

Comments

| View All Comments
Toshabntz

Toshabntz said

Flag This Comment

on 10/7/2008 Thanks you for the info!

Flag This Comment

on 10/6/2008 ABSOLUTELY GREAT INFO!!!

jonandshan

jonandshan said

Flag This Comment

on 10/6/2008 Terrific Article. Thanks!

Flag This Comment

on 9/30/2008 that's some great information

kohuether

kohuether said

Flag This Comment

on 9/26/2008 This is a great article - I am sure a lot of people with anxiety problems will find it very helpful!

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Work Through an Anxiety Attack

Article By: 3Amy Jaine

3Amy Jaine

Authority Authority | 7038 Points

Category: Health

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Health

DrJewell
Meet DrJewell eHow’s Health Expert.