INTERNATIONAL PANIC DAY

INTERNATIONAL PANIC DAY

International Panic Day on June 18 sheds a compassionate, helpful light on the hidden stress, burnout, and anxiety that so many people carry in their daily lives. While the name sounds intimidating, today is actually a national invitation to slow down, drop our shoulders, and learn powerful, practical ways to regain control when life feels completely overwhelming.

#InternationalPanicDay

The word "panic" comes from ancient Greek mythology and a whimsical, short-tempered deity named Pan. According to mythology, Pan was the goat-legged god of nature, wild forests, and shepherds who spent his days roaming the woods playing a hollow pipe. He was considered a peaceful protector who valued his sleep immensely. Legend says that whenever a shepherd accidentally woke Pan from a deep noontime nap, he would let out a terrifying, thunderous shout. The sudden, unexplainable fear that caused entire flocks of sheep to stampede in terror causing panikos by the Greeks.

Just like Greek mythology, our our fast-paced, high-stress world is sometimes triggered by a stampede in our minds. We have learned that panic can manifest in two distinct ways:

  1. Acute Panic: This sudden sense of panic is a flare-up of an intense rush of physical anxiety. The heart starts racing, breathing becomes short, and fear seems overwhelming making everything in your body feeling like it went into overdrive.

  2. Chronic Overwhelming or The Quiet Panic: This type of panic feeling is slow and caused by everyday stress. Heavy workloads, family responsibilities, and financial pressures leave us feeling constantly on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

On International Panic Day, we are encouraging everyone to try and replace the feeling of panic with clarity. Remind yourself that even though we can't always control the stressful events happening around us, we can build a personal toolkit to manage how our bodies and minds respond.

FINDING PEACE ON INTERNATIONAL PANIC DAY

We are asking everyone to celebrate today by simplifying life. Whether it's your own or someone you know suffers from episodes of panic. Here are some helpful habits to assist you today:

  • Practice the 4-7-8 Breathing Method: When you feel anxiety rising, pause and breathe. Inhale quietly through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale completely through your mouth making a "whoosh" sound for 8 seconds. This naturally resets your nervous system.

  • Take a "Unplugged" Stroll: Disconnect for the Internet for a while. Walk away from your computer, silence your phone and put down that device. Go for a walk in a local park and let nature rewire your mind.

  • Drop the Shoulders: Be mindful on how your body feels throughout the day. Intentionally relax your facial muscles and shoulders as part of your work routine.

  • Curl Up and Decompress: Spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something you love. Whether it's reading a book, enjoying a hobby, or listening to music, the time you spend doing something you enjoy will help you stay relaxed.

  • Normalize the Conversation: Share your stress-relief tips, resources, and encouraging messages on social media using the hashtag #InternationalPanicDay. Your words of advice can help someone else.

#InternationalPanicDay HISTORY

Please don’t freak out, but we couldn’t find the originator or the first time it was observed. However, national psychology magazines write about the day.