advertisement
Having a panic attack? Try these ten things for some solace.
feel like they come out of the blue, but there is usually
The trigger is that you are scared of panic attacks. And why wouldn’t you be? They are one of the most uncomfortable experiences on this planet. Having a list of tools can also make you less afraid of the panic coming.
10 Tools for Panic Attack Relief
1. Have an exit plan. Sometimes knowing we have a plan to leave a situation helps us not be so afraid of trying something new. For example, know you can excuse yourself, you can have your own car to drive home, or you have a friend to support you can make all the difference. We are often scared to get anxiety and not be able to do anything about it.
We are afraid of being . Making a plan will make you feel more in control and this counters the anxiety.
2. Have someone you can count on ready to call. In fact, have several, in case the one is busy. Someone who knows about the anxiety and can tell you you are okay, or even better–someone who can make you laugh.
3. Spend time with your pet. ()
4. Have a tranquilizer with you. Knowing you have
to calm you down within 15 minutes can help you not be afraid of anxiety.
Again, we are afraid of being
of our anxiety so just knowing you have the medicine is all you need. Panic needs you to be scared of it for it to stay.
5. Interact with water. There is something about water that stops the energy of panic.
Sometimes crying releases it (tears). However, consider taking a hot bath or shower for immediate relief. Also drinking hot soup or a hot drink (non-caffinated, please!) can help.
6. Give yourself a massage or have your loved one give you one. This really calms the nerves and calls our attention back out of the anxious mind and into the body.
7. Forward bend. Like a fetal position, any forward bend in yoga counters anxiety. You can get in child’s position. See photo above.
8. Stare at yourself in the mirror. This is called
It helps build trust in yourself. Do this when you are calm to prevent anxiety and panic.
9. Go for a walk. Get a change of scenery and use up some of that excess energy. The
indicates the release of adrenaline makes your body want to do something. Doing something and feeling a sense of control on the account of that activity is by far the best thing you can do for a panic attack.
10. Laugh. Watch some funny videos on YouTube. Laughter and anxiety cannot live in the same moment together!
What did I forget? What’s worked for you?
By Jodi Lobozzo Aman
I blog here:
and here: ,
share here: ,
inspire here: ,
Get my free E-book:
(Visited 37,305 times, 162 visits today)
This entry was posted in ,
and tagged , . Bookmark the .
Leave a Reply
Your Favorite Anxiety-Schmanxiety Posts
advertisementThe Dangers of Chlorinated Pools and How to Protect Yourself
By Sandrine Love, of
and Nourishing Ourselves
Another topic to explore as we head into the summer season is chlorinated pools.
Chlorine is popular because it handles the three main jobs in keeping a swimming pool clean: It sanitizes (kills bacteria and germs), oxidizes (controls organic debris from perspiration and body oils), and deters algae. The chemical is unpopular, however, because it has a strong odor, reddens eyes, causes allergic reactions in some swimmers, and is a known carcinogen – meaning it has been linked to cancer!
Chlorine absorbs into your skin. Too much exposure to chlorine has been linked to major health problems including reproductive disorders and even birth defects.
It can cause your skin and hair to dry out and over time too much exposure can even cause wrinkles.
Editor’s Note: Have you ever wondered why Olympic swimmers seem to have so many wrinkles at such young ages and most of the men start losing their hair so quickly?
Could it in fact be caused by overexposure to chlorine for so many years and so many hours every day?
Perhaps so.
When chlorinated pools are indoors, toxic gases such as nitrogen trichloride are released, which can be very dangerous. When we breathe in this gas it can cause severe damage to the lining of the lungs which could lead to respiratory problems or asthma. This toxic gas can be harmful at any age yet it poses the most risk to elderly people and small children.
So while chlorine used to disinfect swimming pools is widely recognized as a health hazard, not everyone has access to the ocean or a lake, or pools treated with ozone, ionizers, bromine, silver-cooper, or other
which can frequently be much more expensive.
If you or your family members do choose to swim in chlorinated pools, some recommendations I’ve read are to:
1. Swim in an outdoor chlorinated pool. It is much safer due to the fact that the majority of the toxic gases are eliminated in the air.
2. Swim in chlorinated pools on occasion only.
3. Shower immediately before and after with a natural soap.
4. Drink plenty of non-chlorinated, filtered water beforehand so that you are well hydrated.
5. Consider wearing a mask and snorkel to shield your eyes – and even a wetsuit, if you are willing to go that far!
6. Get fresh air afterward so you don’t continue to inhale the fumes, and can clear your lungs.
Why shower immediately before swimming in a chlorinated pool?
Julie Deardorff explains in her , “Another important reason to shower is that our bodies generally contain residue from consumer products, including perfume, make-up, body lotion, shampoo and sunscreen.
When the chemicals used to disinfect the pool mix with organic matter (sweat, hair, urine) or nitrogen-rich substances (commonly found in consumer products) it can create a more toxic agent, said Michael Plewa, a professor of genetics at the University of Illinois whose new research has linked pool chemicals to health problems, including asthma and bladder cancer.”
Red, burning, itchy eyes and skin?
What I’ve read is that the presence of chloramines can cause reactions such as red, burning, irritated eyes: Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with ammonia. Ammonia enters the pool through sweat and urine. It is important to teach children not to urinate in pool water [even though it is chlorinated].
Also, showering before swimming can remove excess sweat that interacts with chlorine. My understanding is that if the sweat is on your skin, and hasn’t been rinsed off first in the shower, the chlorine will interact with the sweat on your skin as you enter the pool, and may result in some folks getting itchy skin.
So, what do you think – do the benefits and joy of swimming and playing in a pool out weigh the risks of chlorine?
Some additional articles on this topic
About The Author
Sandrine Hahn previously worked as a family therapist, art therapist, teacher, and as an educational therapist in private practice before she established Nourishing Our Children in 2005. Convinced that the children she worked with were well-fed but malnourished, Sandrine closed her private practice to devote herself to the cause of educating and inspiring parents to return to the whole, natural foods that have produced generation after generation of healthy children.
She founded the San Francisco Chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation in 2004 and served as the volunteer chapter leader for more than a year. She has also taught Nourishing Traditions and Moroccan cooking classes.
Beyond her own visual communication business, she currently serves our cause as the executive and creative director. Sandrine creates
that individuals use for their own self education and/or to present to an audience.
In 2012, she established Nourishing Ourselves as an extension of her original educational initiative. Sandrine received an activist award from the Weston A. Price Foundation in 2006 for her leadership role.
Good article, I have been taking my 6 month old baby swimming in a children’s pool but it has been causing really dry skin. It was supposed to be chlorine free yet you can smell chlorine on him.
Login to your account
Can't remember your
Register for this site!
Your Email:
FREE Access! Health news, tips, recipes, videos and tutorials to your inbox.}