SELF – Kendall Jenner Has An Expert-Approved Way Of Dealing With Anxiety

Breathing to calm anxiety might be one of the most effective things you can do if you are having an anxiety attack. Kendall Jenner has been vocal about dealing with anxiety and recently noted on her blog that concentrating on breathing has helped.

In another great article for SELF, Korin Miller compiles relevant research and expert commentary to explain just how helpful breathing can be to manage panic and why. I was pleased to help out.

To read the full post, click here.

It’s best to learn how to do this before you’re in the middle of a panic attack so that you’re prepared in the event it does happen, licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., tells SELF. “Notice the difference in your body when you breathe slowly versus when you breathe fast, and when you lengthen your inhales, versus lengthening your exhales,” she says. “Because panic is correlated with taking in too much oxygen, it is important to practice lengthening your exhales and pausing between breaths.”

Clark says it’s also crucial to rework your thinking about anxiety. “How you think about anxiety matters almost as much as what you do with it,” she says. “Recognizing the underlying fear is particularly helpful to identify what it is you care about that is in danger.” Some people also benefit from thinking about something that they care about, she says, but the key is not to fight anxiety, which can escalate it. “If you are feeling anxious, try not to fight it,” she says. “Go with it, and breathe slower. It will always pass.”

If you suffer from anxiety and haven’t been able to find a coping strategy that works for you, it may be a good idea to see a mental health professional for help. “There are many strategies that are helpful,” Clark says. “The trick is to find the strategies that work best for you.”