How to Stop Panic Attacks Even When You're Having a Hard Time Breathing

I know what it’s like to have panic attacks. I’ve had them in high school, which some people would deem as just being a nervous teenager dealing with peer pressure.

But my panic attacks were more prevalent a couple years later after my husband, baby, and I were rear-ended by a truck while we were sitting at the light. No one saw it plummeting towards us except me. I had looked in my mirror and saw the truck darting towards us with no signs of stopping. I had no time to do anything except shield my eyes as I was wearing glasses at the time.

Because of that accident, I would have panic attacks whenever I’d look in the mirror and see a car coming. My heart would beat like crazy, I would sweat, and I would have a hard time breathing. I hardly ever drove because I would get so nervous about being behind the wheel. When my husband drove and had to come to a sudden stop, I gasped, gripped on to the door and center console, and closed my eyes, afraid that I would relive that accident once again.

But I didn’t want to live like this anymore.

I was getting panic attacks in other areas of my life and it was keeping me from living and enjoying life the way I should. So I learned some tips that helped alleviate my panic attacks.

Tips to help relieve panic attacks

Tip #1

Get as much rest as possible! Sounds silly but if you’re fully rested, you have a better chance of warding off panic attacks. I used to stay up till the wee hours of the morning because I was young and didn’t think I needed much sleep to survive the day. But without much sleep, I was more exhausted trying to deal with my panic attacks. Try to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep per day.

Tip #2

If at all possible, get as far away from the place that is causing you stress. Granted, sometimes you can’t physically remove yourself from the place that is causing you to have a panic attack. When I started to have a panic attack in the car, I would close my eyes, breathe deeply, and picture myself somewhere else, like playing outside with my kids. That helped a lot. Thinking of positive things that make you happy help ease the panic attacks.

Tip #3

Don’t drink so much caffeine! Not just soda. Caffeine can be found in some tea and most coffee drinks. I don’t drink coffee but I was addicted to soda growing up. Not so much anymore. Such drinks cause the human heart to beat faster.

Tip #4

If there is someone that you are close to, by all means, call them and talk it out. Sometimes it helps to talk about what is causing your panic attacks with someone you trust.

Tip #5

Take vitamin B regularly. Your body doesn’t store them so it would make sense to take vitamins daily.

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