3 Short-Term Ways To Cope With Anxiety Attacks

Life brings stressful situations at every turn, but anxiety disorders make those feelings more frequent and intense than they should be. If you have these conditions, you might be taking long-term treatments such as traditional therapy and hypnosis for anxiety San Antonio TX. However, you also need techniques to deal with immediate attacks. Consider the following ways to calm down when you experience an episode.  

Breathe Slowly 

Mindfulness in general helps you calm down and focus, but mindful breathing is the easiest technique to perform since it requires no set-up or equipment. You can do it in any position, but it is more effective if you sit down and get comfortable. Close your eyes to reduce distractions and take timed natural breaths. As you keep doing this, you will notice how different body parts function during each breath. Doing this between five to seven minutes helps you stay focused and relaxed. 

Find a Fun Distraction 

Your current anxiety attacks can be caused by a fixation on a single subject. An effective method to redirect that attention is with a fun distraction. Read the closest book, newspaper, or magazine available. Distracting yourself becomes easier if you have a phone nearby. You can watch funny videos, read interesting articles, or play relaxing, easy-going games. Investing time and attention can go a long way in controlling your anxiety. 

Eat Healthy Foods

Stress can take a toll on your body, but this can be remedied with some snacks. However, you want to avoid sugar, since it only increases anxious feelings instead of diminishing them. There are some foods that actively combat anxiety and help you feel better, but even something as simple as water and protein will help, as it provides nourishment and distracts from current worries.  

Even if you are currently taking long-term solutions like therapy, you will still need to treat sudden anxiety attacks. These options can help you throughout these unfortunate moments.