Your chest tightens and it becomes more difficult to breathe. You close your eyes and suddenly feel dizzy and disoriented. What’s happening? You may be experiencing a panic attack.

Panic attacks affect a large amount of the population (upwards of 20%) and can appear without warning, and often, without apparent cause. Like most medical conditions modern medicine has a way to fix it- but, before you go that route, often time’s home herbal remedies offer just the fix you need without the cost to your wallet or body.

  • Try aromatherapy. Used to treat many things, aromatherapy is a great way to bring about relaxation and relieve stress. There is a reason that all of the relaxation products are scented.

    • There are many scents that are associated with peace and serenity- find the one that relaxes you the most. Smells that remind you of things such as a good memory or positive experience tend to work best.

    It has been found that Lavender has calming effects and is a good way to help reduce physical or mental stress. If you are at home, burning Lavender oils in your incense burner is a great way to flood the whole room with the smell. Lavender scented soaps, bath oils, and hand lotions are plentiful and easy to come by. If you are in public or do not have access to an incense burner, putting Lavender scented hand lotion on is a good way to relieve stress (along with moisturize your hands).

  • Lemon Balm tea. Drinking Lemon Balm tea is a good way to help relax your body as well as promote a good nights rest. Since your body is the most functional when it is relaxed and well rested this tea could be used during periods of extreme anxiety or panic attacks.

  • Drink a small amount of alcohol. I don’t mean a hard beverage or a straight shot of whiskey, but instead a drink that you associate with relaxation.

    • Many people enjoy a nice cool beer at the end of the workday. The beer does not have enough alcohol to create any significant amount of intoxication but is associated with relaxation simply because of the users mood toward it.

    It is important to note that enjoying one beverage when you are prone to anxiety or panic attacks is much different than drinking to the point of intoxication. Please understand the difference.

  • Sleep well. During periods of extended stress it is important to sleep well. This may be difficult due to short-term insomnia associated with stressful events (mind racing) but it is still very important.

    The difference between 6 and 8 hours of sleep in an adult person can be very pronounced- the adult with 6 hours of sleep may be irritable, sometimes even appearing distant or unresponsive. Receiving a full nights rest (8 hours) is important to maintaining total physical and mental capability. Maintaining your composure is the best way to fend off a panic attack, and it is easier to maintain your composure after a good nights sleep.

    • If you feel a panic attack coming on sit down and focus on controlling your breathing. Do not start to hyperventilate. Try to calm yourself by thinking about happy moments and memories and try some of the remedies previously mentioned. If you are prone to repeated panic attacks consult your doctor.