Many people all over the world are living with anxiety and this mental health condition can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. Panic attacks are a part of anxiety and can appear at any moment, including during the time you’re laying down to sleep.

Today we’re going to share some tips to help you learn how to cope with nighttime panic attacks so that you can sleep a little better and perhaps wake up feeling less tense.

What Causes Nighttime Panic Attacks?

Maybe you’re wondering what is causing your nighttime panic attacks. While research hasn’t been able to pinpoint one reason why you may be suffering from nocturnal panic attacks, it’s rather common. You’re not alone in having these panic attacks when all you want to do is get some sleep.

Common reasons someone may experience nighttime panic attacks include chronic stress, depression, alcohol or drug use withdrawal, personal loss, or significant life changes. The list of reasons why one could be experiencing a nocturnal panic attack is rather extensive, but those listed seem to the more common reasons why a person can start suffering from frequent nighttime panic attacks.

How to Cope with Panic Attacks?

Now that we’ve shared the possible culprit of nighttime panic attacks, here are some ways you can work to reduce nighttime panic attacks and get some sleep:

Breathe Through It

Don’t fight the panic attack. If you wake up gasping for air and all panicked, your chest is tight and you may be crying then don’t fight it. Allow this feeling to push through as you take deep breaths to get your mind back under control.

Get up and Do Something

This may sound counterproductive to trying to get some sleep, but if you’re having a panic attack then you’ll want to get out of bed and do something. This will put your mind on something else that you can control to help alleviate and calm those panicky feelings.

Go Back to Sleep

Once you feel the panic attack has stopped and you can attempt to sleep, go back to bed. Don’t rush this process and don’t think about how much sleep you’re losing because that will only trigger the attack to last longer. Embrace the little sleep you will get once the attack subsides.

Living with anxiety and panic attacks is a hard way to live life but many people have used the tips we shared here today to survive and keep pushing through to live another day. Hopefully, these tips have given you a little nudge to start practicing these steps whenever you’re awoken by a panic attack.