One of the very best ways to control panic attacks is to change the way you breathe.
This "retraining" of your breathing can lead to many positive effects if you currently live with anxiety or panic disorders, including the elimination of unpleasant physical symptoms, decreased nervousness, decreased depression, and even complete elimination of panic attacks.
So, why can changing one little thing like breathing help in so many different ways? There are a couple of reasons.
First, you will correct the oxygen/carbon dioxide imbalance you probably have at the moment (most people with severe anxiety suffer this imbalance due to years of shallow breathing - a result of being nervous and on the edge of panic for so long).
And the second reason that this breathing change can have so many benefits is because correct breathing leads to increased calmness and relaxation.
So, let's get to the good stuff.
How do you "retrain" yourself to breathe correctly? It's simple.
A few times a day, you're going to force yourself to breathe correctly (I'll tell you how in a moment).
To begin with, this will feel awkward and you'll have to concentrate to get it right.
But after a few days of doing this your body will begin to develop a "breathing memory," and even when you're not doing the retraining exercises you will be breathing as you should be.
Here's the exercise for you to do, a few times each day.
Sit upright in a chair.
Place your hand on your stomach.
Breathe in for 4 seconds.
While you breathe in, slowly press your stomach out against your hand.
Now breathe out for 4 seconds.
While you breathe out, let your stomach flatten again under your hand.
Do this for 3 to 5 minutes, a few times a day.
This is how you are supposed to breathe, but most people with anxiety don't breathe like this.
Soon, you will retrain your body to breathe this way even when you're not doing the exercise.
This will reduce your day-to-day anxiety greatly, and as a bonus, it's one of the very best ways to control panic attacks.
Give this exercise a try!