Overcoming Panic Attacks Easy With These 3 Simple Steps to Success.

An equally useful approach to overcoming anxiety attacks is making necessary changes in diet. Cut out sugar and caffeine. Sugar helps the brain make the mood chemical serotonin. Ordinarily, serotonin is associated with a happy mood, but in people who suffer these attacks, it keeps the parts of the brain involved in startle reflexes in a perpetually activated stated.

Caffeine has a similar effect. Almost anyone becomes vulnerable to attacks after consuming 800 mg (five cups of coffee, or two large soft drinks, or eight cups of tea, or 3 large glasses of iced tea) in one day. People who have generalized anxiety disorder may feel worse after drinking just one cup of regular coffee a day. Choose decaf, and panic attacks will be less frequent.

Finally, learn three simple rescues for panic attacks. Stopping a panic attack can be as simple as standing up or even sitting up straight.

When your torso is slouched over in a protective stance, your lungs do not fill with air. Less oxygen reaches the brain. If you sit up straight or stand up straight, your lungs absorb more oxygen and you have greater ability to think your way clear to dealing with the situation that triggered your attack.

It also helps to take deep breaths in and long breaths out. If push all the air you can out of your lungs with a long exhalation, fresh, oxygenated air will effortlessly flow back in. This slows your heartbeat, and helps you focus.

Finally, a splash of cold water to your face is especially helpful if you suffer both panic attacks and depression or if you are dealing with a situation involving hostility. The splashing of cold water in your face triggers a dive reflex that also slows the pulse and sends oxygen to the brain, helping you take control over your emotions.