How to Keep Your Cool During an Anxiety Attack

Written by Michele Renee from Life With Michele Renee

Anxiety can be triggered by everything. You could be in the grocery store and then start worrying about how you will pay the bill that you owe in two weeks, it will then lead you down a rabbit hole of worry and wonder. Anxiety attacks stem from worrying thoughts. When you experience an anxiety attack, it is like the weight of the world is crushing your body. Somehow, gravity is taking effect solely on your chest and nothing else.

It can be difficult to wade through dealing with these attacks. I remember I used to break down crying, and eventually end up hyperventilating until I tried a technique to calm my breathing. Anxiety attacks are terrifying, and more often than not they will take up so much of your energy that you are left depleted for the rest of the day.

I deal with anxiety attacks almost monthly and believe me when I tell you that dealing with them can get easier. If you try your best to remember certain calming techniques and even experiment, it can make your anxiety attacks occur less and become shorter each time. Below, I have listed three calming methods that help me keep my cool during an anxiety attack.

Repeat Affirmations in Your Mind

This calming technique is fairly new to me, and I am actually practicing this every day. But if you have a certain affirmation you like or one that you are drawn to, then focusing on repeating it over and over during an anxiety attack. This will actually make your anxious thoughts float into the background.

I currently like to use the affirmation: you are enough. This affirmation helps me remind myself that it is okay to break down, but it is also okay to be stronger than this mental health illness. Repeating affirmations also helps improve my self-esteem.

Walk Away From the Stressful Situation

Is your anxiety attack being caused by a stressful situation or an argument with someone? Walk away! You are doing yourself a favor by leaving the situation. Often times we convince ourselves that we have to have the last word, but it is okay if you walk away in order to recenter yourself then come back to the disagreement. It is also okay if it never gets resolved.

Stress is a huge trigger for anxiety, and if left unchecked then it will cause your anxiety to turn into a full-blown anxiety attack.

Listen to Calming Music

This one is probably the easiest calming technique to manage. All you have to do is find some of your favorite songs that help you unwind and listen to them on repeat. After a few songs, you will start to focus less on what is bothering you, and focus more on either the lyrics, rhythm, or melody. The point is to focus on something for long enough to stop the worrying thoughts.

I recently discovered this awesome Stress Relief playlist on Spotify and it is perfect for days when I just am feeling too wound up, and anxious.  

Anxiety attacks are always overwhelming, and take so much energy out of you. But if you can try to adopt some calming techniques and try to keep adding more to your arsenal, then you will find that it is easier to keep anxiety attacks from getting out of hand. Never stop caring for your mental health, and the more you know about the causes and symptoms of anxiety attacks, the easier it will be for you to intervene mentally.

What techniques do you use to keep your cool during an anxiety attack?