Hi Lisa,
After my surviving son died, I suffered with terrible panic attacks to the point where I couldn't leave the house. What I've always done and it has not been easy, trust me is to stay physically active.
This morning, I awoke with anxiety, which is rare but I attribute that to my Father's death. I went right outside and re-potted all of the miniature rose bushes that I've been sent since Dad died and my son's Angel Date and was also very aware of my breathing; breathing deeply in and out. It sounds like a simple thing, to breathe but when we're grieving, we don't breathe properly and we deprive our brains of oxygen and we can become more anxious, disoriented and basically, just unable to function. Through my years of grieving, I've learned that I need to stay very aware of my breathing. The added benefit to that is also being able to sleep better.
A little exercise I was taught and one that works well when anxiety or a panic attack is nearing: Breathe in, deeply as hard as you can and roll your eyes upward as you're breathing in. It may cause you to become a little dizzy the first time you do it, but it goes away. Then, exhale, all the way out. Very SLOW and very DEEP. After 6 or 7 really, very deep breaths in and out and the most important thing is rolling your eyes upward....you will feel very relaxed. Some call it self-hypnosis. I call it...something that works!!!
Try it and let me know. It's saved me more times than I can count. It's also put me right to sleep! I call that a good thing.
(((((((Lisa))))))))