Anxiety attacks, panic attacks and anxiety disorder all set traps for its victims. The reason for this is anxiety and even simple nervousness, is brought on by the flight or fight syndrome and they bring with them feelings that are disturbing enough to cause people to try to escape from them. Escaping from anything means fighting with it or running away from it. In other words, fight 
or flight. As you can see, this is counterproductive because anxiety intensifies as we try to fight it or run away from it.
Everyone experiences nervousness to some degree and most people experience anxiety of some type. However, if we try to flee from the feelings this anxiety brings to us we only help its fires to burn hotter. By the same token, the more we wrestle with it in an attempt to make it subside the more we also intensify the feelings anxiety brings on. Therefore, recognizing nervousness and anxiety and then trying to avoid them is a prescription for more anxiety and more nervousness.
Many people find help by simply doing their best to ignore any symptom brought on by anxiety or nervousness and concentrating on the feelings which are brought on by relaxation. For this reason, it is very helpful to use simple relaxation techniques periodically. Then when you get yourself to the point where you are engulfed in relaxation, you will have experienced relaxation and can recall the feelings this relaxation has brought to you anytime you wish.
By doing this you no longer are fighting with anxiety. Thus, you will not be causing it to intensify. Instead, you will be using the positive reinforcement of relaxation to stop the cycle that intensifies nervousness.
To bring yourself into a state of relaxation you can simply use any of the common relaxation techniques that are available. Some of these techniques actually use self hypnosis. However, many people find that lying down and listening to soothing music will help do the trick. Also, progressive relaxation is the preferred choice of many.
With progressive relaxation one simply lies down, closes his eyes and instructs each body part to relax. Normally this is done starting with the feet and going right up to the facial and scalp muscles. It is important when carrying out this technique that you feel your muscles loosening up in every part of your body.
With any relaxation technique it is helpful to start by taking two or three deep breaths. This is done by breathing slowly in through the nose and even more slowly out through the mouth. Deep breathing is always helpful for anyone chasing relaxation.
The bottom line is, the normal person faces many obstacles to relaxation during the day. However, by practicing relaxation on the off-hours or prior to sleep at night, an anxiety suffer can experience true relaxation and will then have something to build on during anxious moments throughout the day.
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- What is an Anxiety Panic Attack? (treatinganxietyattacks.net)
