Reducing anxiety
You can reduce anxiety and stress in your life by:
- Taking slow, deep breaths.
- Soaking in a warm bath.
- Listening to soothing music.
- Taking a walk or doing some other exercise.
- Meditating or praying.
- Taking a yoga class.
- Having a massage or back rub.
- Drinking a warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated beverage.
Changing some of your everyday habits also can reduce stress in your life.
- Limit or eliminate caffeine and nicotine. Both caffeine and nicotine can trigger a panic attack in some people.
- Avoid alcohol. It can cause sleep problems and depression. Drinking alcohol also can trigger a panic attack in some people.
- Avoid using illegal drugs such as marijuana, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), sedatives, cocaine, and amphetamines (for example, speed). These can trigger a panic attack in some people.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of certain nonprescription medications, such as some medications used to treat colds. These can trigger a panic attack in some people.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: September 16, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry | |
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