A panic attack is a sudden rush of anxiety and fear without a specific cause and how to stop panic attacks while driving is a question that we look at today in this article. There are many ways one can prevent and stop panic attacks while driving and here below are a couple of ideas and techniques that may work for some.
1. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
- It is necessary to keep the forehead, eyes and jaws relaxed at all times as these are the regions where all the stress builds up. Keeping these areas relaxed helps the driver stay alert and attentive while driving.
- Traffic signals are a good spot to relax and de-stress the shoulders by rotating them slowly in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.
- Gripping the wheel firmly with both hands and then squeezing it also de-stresses the palms and ensures that one isn’t holding the wheel with more strength than required.
It is necessary to understand that if you know how to drive and are still having doubts as to how to stop panic attacks while driving then it is entirely psychological. The above methods are helpful to calm down the mind and body while driving.
2. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
As is true with most skills that one wishes to master, driving is also mastered by practice. Therefore one of the answers to that question of how to stop panic attacks while driving lies in continuous practice. Going for drives alone without company best does it. It is also advisable to drive to places that one tends to avoid and increase the time span of the drive.
3. PUMP UP THE MUSIC OR PULL OVER
Music is best known to soothe frayed nerves. Listening to soothening music can take your mind off the panic attack. Also if one starts sweating profusely or can’t breathe it is best to stop the car to a safe spot, take deep breaths, and walk around a bit before continuing the journey. It is also okay to recline the seat, shut the eyes and calm down entirely before proceeding.
4. ‘FOOD’ FOR THOUGHT
An important aspect to be taken into consideration as to how to stop panic attacks while driving lies in the kinds of food we eat before driving. Here are some foods apt for consuming before driving and some that should be avoided:
- Have complex carbohydrates: These help people to keep up optimum blood sugar levels thereby reducing the chances of a panic attack. They are found in grains and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates found in sweets, packed juices and drinks raise blood sugar level to a peak and then drop it suddenly making the panic attack seem very sudden.
- Avoid caffeine: It makes the blood sugar level reach a peak and then suddenly drops it. It makes a person very tense and nervous.
- Have Potassium and Magnesium rich food: These minerals are known to relax the muscles as opposed to calcium and sodium which makes muscles tensed. Potassium is found in grains, cereals, potatoes and bananas. Magnesium is found in green-leafy vegetables, beans, nuts and grains.
- HERBAL TEAS: The answer as to how to stop panic attacks while driving lies in our favorite tea. Chamomile tea which is a herbal tea is known to have calming properties.
Therefore the answer as to how to stop panic attacks while driving lies in all the above feasible and manageable methods. These are only basi pointers and depending on the strength of your panic attacks will depend on the right course of treatment.
If you are looking to control your panic attacks, and want to learn how, check out the following link to a FREE guide that goes into detail on how to control panic attacks, > CLICK HERE
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