Sassafras Station

Each year millions of Americans suffer from panic attacks. They can be both scary and frustrating with little or no warning when one is coming on. Adults aren’t the only ones who suffer. The number of children who experience panic attacks grows every year. This is a stressful world we live but we have to come up with ways to cope with the stress before it takes over our lives.

What can be even more frustrating than the attack itself is the fact that doctors rarely get the diagnoses right the first time. Up to 70 percent of people who have panic attacks end up seeing as many as 10 doctors before they’re correctly diagnosed.

The symptoms of an anxiety attack include rapid heartbeat, breathlessness, headaches, general weakness or fatigue, stomach pains or diarrhea, and feeling of tightness in the chest. These are not only scary to the person suffering the attack but also to those who are witnessing it.

So what can you do to help ease stress and anxiety? An herbal remedy is to mix the herbs skullcap and valerian together and drink as a tea. You can also buy these in pill form. Take three times a day (or as suggested on the back of the bottle) when you’re feeling anxious or very stressed out.

Increasing certain vitamins and minerals has also shown to help the body deal with stress and anxiety. Upping your intake of vitamin B and Magnesium can help your mind and body relax. Scheduling massages and some extra quiet time might also help. Try signing up for yoga or meditation classes. There are also several DVD’s you can buy or check out at your local library that show you how to practice medatation and Yoga. Tai Chi is another form of exercise that is very relaxing and can lower your stress.

Aromatherapy is another thing to try. Essential oils like lavender or geranium can be added to your bath to help calm nerves and ease away stress.

Using aromatherapy with children can be helpful for them as well as teaching them breathing techniques they can use when they feel stressed out at school or at home. The important thing is to make them feel like they can do something to help themselves, to be in charge of their breathing, to think positive thoughts, something they can purposefully do when their lives are feeling out of control. Also make sure they are getting the necessary vitamins that they need.

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