How To Know If You Are Suffering From An Anxiety Attack
You wake to the sound of your alarm. You reach over to your nightstand and turn it off before removing the covers and getting out of bed. Reaching your arms over your head, you let out a big sigh. You’re well-rested and ready for whatever the day has to throw your way… or so you thought.
Everything was fine when you were getting ready for the day. You completed your skincare routine, brushed your teeth, combed your hair, and picked out your outfit with no issues.
But then you left the comfort of your own home. While you were in the car, your heart started beating faster, you felt like you were choking, and you started to feel sick to your stomach.
Here’s how to know if you are suffering from an anxiety attack.
What is an Anxiety Attack?
Anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. It can come and go just like any other emotion that one can experience like happiness, sadness, and anger. Anxiety usually occurs when you are feeling pressured, challenged, or threatened.
Anxiety attacks, on the other hand, can happen without warning. They are known as short episodes of fear or panic, hence the name “anxiety attack”. Anxiety attacks typically last anywhere from 10-30 minutes.
The Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack are often very severe. Once an attack passes, an individual may fear another one coming on, especially in public, due to some of the sensations they experience.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of an anxiety attack:
- Chest pain
- Choking sensation
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Feeling detached from reality
- Hyperventilation
- Loss of control
- Nausea
- Overwhelming panic
- Shaking or trembling
How to Cope with Anxiety
Anxiety attacks aren’t easy to deal with, but they are treatable. There are actually some things you can do to help yourself if you’re struggling with anxiety or anxiety attacks. Try to incorporate some of these tips below into your current lifestyle and see if your anxiety improves.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way to reduce stress and increase your mood naturally. Aim for at least 30 minutes of movement on a daily basis. If you’re not a fan of working out, that’s okay too. You can move your body in whatever way works best for you. Go for a walk outside. Hop on a bicycle or indoor cycling bike. You can even hit up a local class with a friend.
Focus On Your Sleep
Anxiety can make it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Try to focus on making sleep a priority to help limit anxious thoughts. Sleep is essential for rest and recovery. Your body needs it in order to function properly. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
A lot of anxiety stems from worrying about the past or future. Try to ground yourself in the present moment by incorporating relaxation techniques. You can try breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation. Similar to exercise, try out a few and find out what works best for you.
When to Seek Help
Anxiety is completely normal to experience every now and then. That being said, if you start to notice that your anxiety is starting to have an impact on your daily life and routine, that isn’t normal.
If your anxiety isn’t going away on its own and you’re noticing it’s actually getting worse, it’s time to reach out for additional support. Trying something for the first time can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. You aren’t alone in dealing with anxiety. Everyone experiences it from time to time.
Be strong and put yourself first. Take control of your anxiety. Let’s get you back to living your life to the fullest again.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or anxiety attacks, reach out to us today to set up a consultation for anxiety therapy.
