Natural Remedies for Panic Attacks

Natural remedies for panic attacks are preferable by most people because they are good for the body through and through (unlike medication). Sure, prescription medications might remove the symptoms of panic attacks, but they come with a whole host of symptoms of their own! With natural remedies, not only are you able to treat your panic attacks, but you’ll be able to do it in a way that makes you healthier, not sicker. A popular and natural remedy for panic attacks is yoga. Yoga? How will that help my panic attacks? Well, the underlying concept of yoga makes it an ideal accompaniment to any panic attack treatment. Yoga can, in fact, be an invaluable tool in helping you to manage your attacks and, at the same time, reduce your underlying levels of anxiety. Ultimately, yoga, as one expert explains it, teaches you how to interact with your nervous system. If you want to soothe your nervous system and strengthen it against the next potential panic attack, then the deep, relaxed breathing techniques of yoga may be the perfect solution. Breathing is the secret to unlocking the nervous system, balancing it, and eventually taking control of it.

Let's use an example of how yoga may help in a "panicked" situation that is not a panic attack. Imagine you're walking down a dimly lit street at night. Suddenly you feel something cold up against your back. A robber with a gun? Your natural reaction is to gasp. It's a natural consequence of experiencing fear. This in turn tenses your entire body. Now, what would you do if you discovered it were only a (good?) friend pulling a prank on you? Your system's initial reaction, almost involuntary, is to sigh with relief. As you think about what he did, that relief may turn to irritation. And you may find your breathing to be agitated. In any case, do you see how breathing is a natural extension of how we feel at any given moment?

Keep in mind though that breathing and emotions are also a two-way street. Your emotions, as we've just illustrated, can change your breathing. But few of us recognize that our breathing can also change our emotions. Think about the power this could ultimately mean for you, and for your control over panic attacks. Curiously, breathing actually is the only involuntary function that you can control. During those times of panic, the mere act of relaxed, controlled breathing gives you instant access to your nervous system. The potential for your ability now to control the course of an attack is enormous. Simply put, the way you breathe can, and does with or without your knowledge, actually alter the condition of your nervous system. This means that your breathing may become a very powerful weapon against a panic attack, if you know how to use it. When a panic attack strikes, your first step can be to consciously change the way you breathe. This can calm your nervous system which can then bring the underlying anxiety under control. This is turn then brings it to your conscious awareness where you can more readily process it.

Maybe you've always wanted to try yoga, well now's your chance! Or maybe you've never pictured yourself doing yoga in 1000 years. Well, why not open your mind a bit and maybe try a free lesson or two? You might just find it to be very relaxing and helpful in dealing with your panic attacks.