Sensations What If?
What is a quick technique to stop a panic attack?
Short answer: Try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method right now.
Anxiety tricks your brain into ignoring reality. To break the panic loop, look around and name 5 things you can see (like the seatbelt). Touch 4 things (like the cool plastic window). Listen closely for 3 sounds. Find 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This forces your brain to process logic, stopping the panic in its tracks.