I occasionally suffer from minor anxiety and panic attacks, sometimes in crowded public places, sometimes at home. I’d like to share with Steemit some methods I’ve learned to help alleviate stressful episodes.
* Splash COLD water on your face (or take a cold shower)
This wakes you up, increases circulation, and forces you to contract the facial muscles. Subsequent relaxation of the facial muscles initiates a calming response by our sympathetic nervous system.
If you can’t make it to a sink…
* Scrunch up your facial muscles, then relax.
like this guy
Relaxing the facial muscles after tension also relaxes the mind! Try it out :)
Tip: check in with yourself to see if your forehead is relaxed when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. If the forehead is tense, we’re more likely to have negative thoughts.
* Slow, controlled, deep breathing
You’ve probably heard this one before – the breath is POWERFUL. Anxiety episodes are usually characterized by shallow breathing; countering this response can help you to lower your blood pressure and heart rate, making you feel more calm and collected.
I understand these methods may not work for everyone, but they're worth adding to your toolkit.
If you have a method to share that works well for you, please comment :)
