My Heart is Racing and I Don't Know Why — 10-Minute Guided Calm for Panic Attack Relief

Have you ever woken up with a racing heart, a tight chest, or a sudden, overwhelming sense of dread? Whether it hits at 3:00 AM or in the middle of a Tuesday meeting, a panic attack can feel like a medical emergency. In today’s episode, we deconstruct the physiology of panic and provide you with the clinical tools to outlast the wave and return to calm.I’m Martin, a clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic. Having sat with many people in the midst of a physical crisis, I’m here to tell you: your heart is not failing—it is protecting you.Time Chapters00:00 – Identifying the "Full Body Panic Signal" 01:10 – Meet Martin: From Paramedic to Hypnotherapist 02:00 – The Physiology of Panic: Why Adrenaline Makes Your Chest Tight 03:15 – The 3-Minute Rule: Understanding the Biological Half-Life of Adrenaline 03:45 – The "Brake Cable" Breath: Guided Physiological Sigh 05:05 – Shoreline Visualization: Watching the Wave Break 07:45 – Grounding Affirmations for Lasting Calm 08:50 – 3 Daily Caring Tips for Panic Recovery 10:40 – Final Thoughts: Coming Back to the Present Affirmations for Panic RecoveryLet these words land in your body to help signal to your nervous system that the "emergency" is over:“This is a panic attack; I am not in danger.” “My heart is strong; it is working to protect me, not hurt me.” “Adrenaline is clearing from my body with every breath I take.” “The wave is already breaking; I am already returning to calm.” “I have survived every panic attack before this, and I will survive this one too.” 3 Daily Caring TipsName It to Tame It: When symptoms start, say "This is a panic attack" out loud. This shifts brain activity to your prefrontal cortex, the rational side of your mind.Don’t Leave the Room: Avoid the urge to flee. Staying in the location teaches your brain that the environment is actually safe, updating your internal "safety map".Rest After, Not Instead Of: A panic attack is physically exhausting. Treat yourself with kindness afterward—hydrate, move gently, and allow for quiet time.A Note From MartinIf you’re tired of just "surviving" these moments and are ready to stop them at the source, I invite you to join me for my Anxiety Circuit Breaker Course. It features five focused hypnotherapy sessions designed to help you reclaim your life from the clinical roots of anxiety.You don't have to walk this path alone. You are capable, resilient, and stronger than your anxiety knows.Join the community at calminganxiety.fm In everything you do today, my friend, be kind. 👉 Click to subscribe and unlock ad-free episodes now!Support the Show:Ad-Free Listening: Enjoy Calming Anxiety without ads at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/calming-anxiety--4110266/supportBuy Me a Coffee: Support hosting costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/calminganxietyhttps://calminganxietypodcast.substack.com/?r=6zm0sc&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklistRate & Review: Leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners!YouTube: Watch all episodes at https://www.youtube.com/c/calminganxiety?sub_confirmation=1 Social Media Support: For younger listeners struggling with social media stress, visit https://www.icanhelp.net/Backing Music: Chris Collins===================Affiliate links to the gear I use the items that give me a more tranquil life.=============================Items I use for a more relaxed way of life :)Organic Pure Hemp CBD Capsules - https://amzn.to/3Ready for More Calm?Thank you for listening to the Calming Anxiety Podcast, featuring guided meditation, mindfulness, and sleep hypnosis sessions with Martin Hewlett. Our mission is to provide you with proven tools for anxiety relief, stress reduction, and a path toward deep relaxation. Use this episode anytime you need to calm your mind and feel more at ease.