Reducing anxiety

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Reducing anxiety

You can reduce anxiety and stress in your life by:

• Taking slow, deep breaths.
• Soaking in a warm bath.
• Listening to soothing music.
• Taking a walk or doing some other exercise.
• Meditating or praying.
• Taking a yoga class.
• Having a massage or back rub.
• Drinking a warm, nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated beverage.

Changing some of your everyday habits also can reduce stress in your life.

• Limit or eliminate caffeine and nicotine. Both caffeine and nicotine can trigger a panic attack in some people.
• Avoid alcohol. It can cause sleep problems and depression. Drinking alcohol also can trigger a panic attack in some people.
• Avoid using illegal drugs such as marijuana, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), sedatives, cocaine, and amphetamines (for example, speed). These can trigger a panic attack in some people.
• Reduce or eliminate the use of certain nonprescription medications, such as some medications used to treat colds. These can trigger a panic attack in some people.

Credits

Last updated:	September 16, 2008
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC