Health Information Blog

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.

There is a very simple test to determine which way you are breathing. Place one hand on your tummy and the other one on your chest. Pay attention to which hand moves the most as you breathe. If you find the one on your chest is moving the most then you are chest breathing, if the one on your tummy is moving more then you are breathing with your diaphragm (abdominal breathing). Understanding which method you are using can help you reduce your anxiety by allowing you to consciously switch to a more relaxing mode of breathing.

Relaxation Through Abdominal Breathing

This easy exercise can be used when you are feeling anxious to help with treating panic attacks. You want to practice this when you are in comfortable surrounding and preferably relaxed so that you can apply it when you start to feel anxious or stressed. (note: if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable at any time stop the exercise right away):

Place one hand on your stomach and slowly inhale through your nose. Try to keep your shoulders relaxed. If you are breathing with your diaphragm you hand should move up and down with each breath.

Don’t try to hold your breath. Exhale through your mouth. Rather than push the air out, let the air exit your body naturally.

Repeat 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 anyone and won’t cost a penny.