By Ann: If we have had an experience in our life that terrified us, this can stay with us our whole life. Ask yourself, was it as bad as I remember? How we perceive a situation varies from person to person, and our fear levels vary even if we experience the same things.
Think of Navy SEALs and how fearless and courageous they are through their training which helps them achieve challenges that the ordinary person cannot. Fear is different from courage, as fear can be a warning sign. Fear starts in the brain and Winston Churchill said that fear is a reaction and courage is a decision. Most of the time, we learn to be fearful which helps us to avoid danger. In the brain, we have 2 almond shaped regions called the Amygdala which is the center of our emotional memory, which regulates fear and aggression.
To overcome fear, learn more about your fear and don’t make it a pattern and train your brain towards positive thoughts. Imagine yourself handling situations calmly to resolve the situation which makes you anxious. Fear can overcome rational thoughts, and the key is to control your breathing. Deep breathing forces your body to calm down. Next mindfulness is something to help us not to overreact and be overwhelmed by our environment around us.
Fear can be overcome one step at a time just like athletes train repetitively to train the brain to send signals to the muscles to gain muscle memory. Our brain also can be trained to move on from anxiety and fear. President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Train your brain that there is no threat or danger in most of our daily life and fear can be managed. We fear what we don’t understand. Firstly, accept what we are afraid of and make attempts to learn about the subject. Think for yourself and don’t follow the crowd with a mob like mentality.
Some people are afraid of religion, race, politicians, different phobias, leaving their home, going to the dentist, snakes, flying etc., etc., etc. the list goes on. Phobias usually start during childhood. Exposing yourself to the things you are afraid of can help alleviate your fear. Having a healthy respect for danger is a good thing, and various therapies can help to help people overcome fears and phobias.
Self help guides are useful with self exposure therapy. Not dealing with fears and phobias can lead to anxiety and irrational thinking. Slowly desensitizing to a fear is a good way to step by step overcoming fear. Joining a support group can help with talk therapy and exposure therapy if fear interferes with your daily life. Direct your brain to positive thoughts to take the focus off the fear as your rational brain takes over and puts things into perspective. Visualizing using your imagination can help with your subconscious mind to cement a reality that you want to happen and having a journal is a good way to make this happen.
Exercise and movement help to quiet the mind and produce happy endorphins and improve decision making and self care practices help to release anxiety and stress. Fear can help to protect you from danger, except when it becomes a phobia and hinders your daily lifestyle, that is when a therapist can help. Fear can be real or imagined, and emotions can be triggered by a perceived threat which our body responds with a flight or fight reaction. Recognizing the difference helps to keep a healthy balance of fear and not develop into chronic fear, which can impact your physical and mental health. So, a healthy fear is a protection, and an imagined fear is a hindrance to daily happiness which can be managed and overcome with time.
Love and Light,
Ann
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