What to do when you're having a panic attack

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Please, take care of yourself. If you are anxious or on the brink of a panic attack, here's what I want you to do:

1. Distract yourself with an interesting movie/video/show

2. Talk to a friend.

3. Breathe with this video until you can breathe normally, then distract yourself from the thoughts you're having.

4. Listen to music. Loud. Try to pretend you're drowning out the thoughts that are scaring you, and I know it isn't always full thoughts that are scaring you. Drown out your thinking.

5. Don't dwell on what's happening at that exact moment or what's running through your head at that exact moment.

6. Engage in a hobby. Art, singing, writing, exercising, etc. There's a lot.

7. Do NOT engage in any self-injurious activities. These may make you feel better in the moment, but ultimately only make everything worse.

8. Drink a calming drink. Tea, or if you don't like it, at the bottom of my list is a recipe for a really calming drink.

9. If you don't have access to any of these things, maybe you're in public, use your phone. Do not go on social media if that's what's scaring you or making you unhappy. Play a game or chat with a friend.

10. If you don't have a phone, yes this is a social media app, but it's also available on the computer. Or maybe you forgot your phone or something, if you're in a crowd then try people watching.

11. Also if you don't have a phone, study things. Maybe you're at a party, study the grain of the possibly wooden coffee table. Focus on the dust gathering on the rim of a glass. Find the small perfect imperfections that are everywhere.

12. Massage. Not everyone is comfortable with being touched, but it's not like you can't give yourself one. Find a tutorial on YouTube and give yourself a foot massage.

13. Self-care. You need to realize that you are an important human being. Take a bath or shower, wash your face, put on goofy or fancy makeup because who cares what your gender is, find something new to do, focus on your breaths, d i s t r a c t.

14. Make something delicious. Make dinner for yourself or your family.

15. Do something new. Do a DIY, it can be great.

16. Pet a fuzzy animal or human.

17. Shuffle cards, do something with your hands.

18. Type something up on the computer, like a story.

19. Find a talent, maybe you can secretly sew really good...

20. Realize you aren't alone. I know the world can feel lonely and scary, but you aren't alone. You'll be okay.

Recipe for ultra calming drink:

Get a coffee mug or glass, and fill the bottom with about two tablespoons of honey. Then fill up halfway with milk and the other half with water, and add a generous pinch of cinnamon. Just stir, and boom, delicious drink.

Always keep fighting. -Libby

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⏰ Last updated: May 30, 2016 ⏰

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