Eliminate Panic Attacks

Eliminate Panic Attacks – Relaxation Response

The body is a marvelous piece of work. It has a regiment of automatic systems, designed to keep it in balance, no matter what we throw at it. We are protected from many of life’s dangers without even having to think about it. At the first sign of a threat, they snap into operation, preparing us to deal with the situation. So, what about eliminating panic attacks and the relaxation response?

Eliminate Panic Attacks

Your Protection Systems

First, we have to realize that a panic attack is the outward sign of one of our protective systems in action! Yes, the tightness in the chest, the rapid breathing, the pounding heart, that slightly nauseous feeling. It is your ‘fight or flight’ response. Perhaps unknowingly, you have detected some sign of danger. You may be about to be attacked. You may have to fight or run. And your body has readied itself to take action. It has done what it needs to do, to protect you. All of those horrible feelings you are experiencing are for your own good.

When you are in the grip of a panic attack, it can be very alarming but there is really no need to worry. Your body is in control and knows what it is doing. It will not let any of these responses reach a level where you could actually be harmed. And when the action is over or the threat seems to have passed, it will set things back to normal. It does this with the ‘relaxation response’. This is a whole other automatic system whose job is to restore the balance. Two systems just doing their job. But there is a difference between them.

Eliminate Panic Attacks

You in Control

You can’t consciously invoke the ‘fight or flight’ response. You try it. It is actually a good thing to do. If you try to invite a panic attack, for one thing you will find that you can’t do it. And for another, you will begin to change the way think about them. If, instead of fighting a panic attack, you invite it in, it will seem less frightening. Especially when it declines the invitation. Taking away the fear of another attack is a great first step. And another one is to practice your, relaxation response’.

Your relaxation response is something that you can learn to consciously control. It is not too difficult either. Medical trials have proven this to be beneficial in several areas. None more so than in dealing with stress and anxiety. There are many ways to achieve this, but the simplest is often the best. Here is a reliable method to invoke your relaxation response. You can practice it at home so that it becomes second nature.

Eliminate Panic Attacks

Relaxation Response Technique

You can do this sitting, standing or lying down, with your eyes open or closed. Whatever works for you. You need to choose a simple word or phrase such as ‘calm’, ‘relax’ or ‘one’. While breathing slowly and naturally, silently repeat your phrase and focus your attention on it. Do not worry if other thoughts pop into your head. Don’t try to fight them, just let them float on by and go back to your focusing. Relax and don’t worry about how you are doing.

You can build up this practice to as much as you need. Start with a couple of minutes and increase to ten or even twenty minutes, once or twice a day. If a panic attack occurs, you will be less fearful to begin with, and you won’t need to wait for the relaxation response to kick in naturally. You can start the process early.

Eliminate Panic Attacks

These are simple and useful techniques for short term relief. But if you really want to eliminate panic attacks permanently, I recommend Panic Away. I have written elsewhere on this site about my wife’s experience with this program. It offers more advice on removing the fear of panic attacks and the complete solution to being free of them forever.