Listen to “How Fear Ruins Your Life and How to Stop it”.
Fear is more than just an uncomfortable emotion that holds you back from following your dreams. Fear makes you lose focus and causes tension both in your body and with the people around you. Fear will also make you lose sleep, feel overwhelmed and stressed, and cause you to perceive your whole life as a threat.
Fear isn’t all bad though. Healthy fear is a vital physiological reaction that has guaranteed the survival of animal species for millions of years. Sadly the fear designed to save your life is now destroying it.
Fear is contagious and seeing or hearing others who are scared causes us to be frightened too. In today’s world, overshadowed by the pandemic, fear and anxiety have become permanent features. The global reach and 24/7 nature of modern media have allowed fear to spread faster and further than the dangerous yet invisible virus. Fear contagion happens automatically and unconsciously, making it difficult to control.
Fear contagion does not require direct physical contact with others. Media distributing terrifying images and information can very effectively spread fear. It can also trigger a stress response in the body that puts you at risk of disease and makes it hard for the body to heal itself.
Somewhere along the way, feeling guilty, fearful, and unhappy has become the norm. It is almost expected and it is fast becoming pathological. Fear causes inner pain, which we desperately try to numb with substances and behaviours.
So what can we do to stop experiencing fear and stop ourselves from spreading it to other people? Here are some ways to help you live your life without fear.
1. Acceptance
Change is an inevitable part of life, and many aspects of the changing world are beyond our control. You can’t control the spread of a virus, the pace of social change, or how the economy will eventually recover.
While it can be tough to acknowledge, railing against events or circumstances outside of your control will only drain your energy and leave you feeling anxious and hopeless. On the other hand, accepting the current situation can free you up to devote your energy to the things that you do have control over.
2. Faith in a better future
Einstein said, “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” When you believe it’s a hostile universe, life is scary. But when you trust that you are held, loved, safe, nurtured, and protected, you can relax. The choice is ultimately yours.
3. Appreciate all the amazing things you already have
There are a lot of things in life to be grateful for, including:
- the beauty of nature.
- the joy of tasting food.
- the heart-to-heart bonding between you and your loved ones.
- the little things in life
When you take the time to savour the precious elements in your life you’ll discover that you have a lot more than you realise.
4. Nature-based therapies
Being in nature can reduce anxiety and depression and increase happiness. Reconnecting with nature not only makes people feel better emotionally, but it also lowers blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones, all of which are signals of stress and fear.
When you are feeling anxious or depressed, find a park or green space and go for a walk to unwind.
5. Practice self-care
Self-care includes eating a balanced diet, exercise, positive affirmations and/or meditating, and talking to people who make you feel good.
Setting aside at least 10-20 minutes a day for relaxation practice can help your mind stay focused and healthy. Breathing exercises and meditation are great for getting started. DeepH healing, stress and sleep meditations are great tools to help you relax and unwind in uncertain times.
