Most people don’t give much, if any thought to how they breathe. Did you know that how you breathe could be a contributing factor in how often you experience panic attacks and how long your attacks are? Learning how to breathe correctly can help you with treating panic attacks.

Breathe Right to Reduce Stress

The most natural way to breathe is from the abdomen but when people get stressed or anxious they will often start breathing from their chest. Chest breathing, as the name suggests, is when you take shallow and rapid breaths from the chest. This type of breathing upsets the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body and can lead to a number of physical symptoms including muscle tension, increased heart rate and dizziness.

When you are breathing with your diaphragm, your breaths will be deep, even and fill your lungs. When you are in a deep sleep and relaxed you will do this automatically. Breathing in this manner is the natural way to breathe; even a newborn baby does it.

If you want to check which method you are using to breathe, the easier way is to put your left hand on your stomach and your right hand on your chest. If your left hand moves then you are using abdominal breathing, conversely, if your right hand moves then you are predominantly chest breathing. Being aware of the method you are using is the first step in being able to control anxiety and panic with relaxation breathing.

Proper Breathing to Relax

Here is a simple technique that you can use for treating panic attacks. Practicing this technique will help you use it when you are starting to feel anxious. (note: it’s best to try this laying or sitting down at first, if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable at any time stop immediately):

Sit or lay down and try to relax as much as possible. Place a hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose. Your hand should rise and fall with each breath if you are breathing with your diaphragm.

Exhale through your mouth without holding your breath. You don’t want to force the air out but let it exit your lungs naturally.

Try repeating this several times.

You can add another level to this relaxing breathing technique by turning it into a breathing mediation. To do this, you want to focus your attention on your breathing, letting all other thoughts drift away. As the air moves in and out of your body, keep your attention focused on how you hand rises and falls or how the breath moves in and out of your nose and mouth.

You can use proper breathing techniques for treating panic attacks and reducing the severity of them. When you add proper abdominal breathing to other techniques you may already be using against anxiety and panic attacks you will be well on your way to getting your life back.

How To Get Rid Of Anxiety contains information on the best solutions to panic and anxiety. This simple method that you can start using right away for treating panic attacks is available to everyone and won’t cost a penny.

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