Stopping Your Panic Attacks Using Methods You Probably Never Thought Of

Stopping a panic attack can be as easy as popping a pill, but it needn’t be. If you’ve been working on stopping your panic attacks without the use of drugs, then you’re probably already familiar with the most common techniques for stopping panic attacks: deep breathing, visualization and self-talk. There are plenty of other, less common, ways to put a fast end to a panic attack, and you may be interested in learning some of these techniques.

Did you know that laughter is an effective means for stopping a panic attack? It is. During a panic attack, your body has elevated levels of cortisol – the so-called “stress hormone” – but laughter is known to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Physiologically, researchers aren’t quite sure how it works, but it does. Adding to laughter’s panic attack stopping ability is that it has the power to distract you from the negative thoughts and emotions associated with the attack.

When it comes to stopping a panic attack, your nose knows the way. Aromatherapy teaches that scent can effect mood, and scientific research backs it up. For instance, studies have proven that the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg produces feelings of arousal in men. Which scents have the ability to stop your panic attacks? Lavender and vanilla have been proven to reduce stress, and ylang ylang is thought to be soothing as well. Essential oils are easy to come by these days, carry a little vial with you and crack it open and sniff away – even apply some to your body – when you need help stopping a panic attack.

Sometimes stopping a panic attack can be as simple as changing your scenery. If you are inside, go outside. If you are outside, go inside. Stand up if you are lying down, lie down if you are standing up. Panic attacks are often triggered by the same set of circumstances, and changing those circumstances even a little can help stop the attack. This is essentially an avoidance technique, so those whose panic attacks are symptoms of an underlying phobia may not want to try this. It could interfere with therapy that helps confront and overcome fears.

Stopping a panic attack is no easy feat, and you’ve found something that works you should stick with it. However, it can’t hurt to have more weapons against panic in your arsenal, and some of the above techniques for stopping a panic attack can help out a bit when you need it. All of these techniques, as well as the ones you already know for stopping panic attacks are safe for use with panic attack medications and may even increase their effectiveness.