Fear is not a foe. In fact, it is vital for survival. When you fear nothing, you tend to be careless, exposing yourself to an array of threats that can endanger your life. But extreme fear can be dangerous, even lethal. It hinders you from doing things you want and most of all – from living your life to the fullest.
Overcoming fears is never easy, but with the following tips, you are sure to be able to use your own fears to your advantage.
1.It all starts with positivity.
In his study, psychologist Marc Taylor found that athletes who practised positive mental skills such as voicing out affirmations are more likely to survive the pressures of the game and win. Remember, your actions are a reflection of your thoughts. When you think about fear all the time, you’ll find it hard to get out from your comfort zone and try new things that can make your life better. So replace those negative thoughts with positive ones!
2.Know the odds.
Experts suggest that most things we fear about never really come to pass. For instance, when conducting a presentation, you may worry that you might forget your speech, say the wrong thing, or lose respect from your peers. Free your mind and logically think of the likelihood of these things happening. At the end of the day, you will realise there’s no chance that they will, really.
3.Invest in your health.
When you are healthy, you are less likely to experience the severe effects of stress. Experts agree that stress and anxiety aggravates fear. Aside from observing a balanced diet, make sure to exercise regularly. Studies show that physical exercise lowers down the risk of depression and anxiety disorders.
4.Avoid complicating things.
Maybe your boss has assigned you a very big project and you fear that you won’t be able to handle it. Indeed, a daunting task can often push you to your limits and make you feel discouraged. The trick is to focus on the small things. You can’t reach level 100 without completing level 1. Break down the project into smaller tasks and then work on each one. Before you know it, you have already accomplished your work – with ease!
5.Harness the confidence in you.
The best weapon against excessive fear is confidence. When you know you can do it, you are likely to do it right. Confidence is something you cannot gain in an instance. You have to train yourself. For instance, if you fret over public speaking, practise as many times as needed. Hire a speaking coach if you have to. Set challenging but reachable goals until you get to the most difficult.
6.Have sex!
One study found that people who recently engaged in sexual intercourse tend to be calmer when asked to speak before a group of strangers.
7.Expand your social network.
Humans are social creatures. You can’t live alone in this world. You need love, care and support from the people around you – friends and family. Research shows that oxytocin, a hormone that is produced when people express affection and love, helps reduce pain and fear.
8.Look at the tough times at a different angle.
Instead of feeling bad about the difficult situations, look at them at a different, more positive perspective. Try to identify the good things that come along with the bad. Failures aren’t meant to break you. They are actually there to make you wiser and stronger.
9.Be mindful
Mindfulness meditation is often taught to people suffering from extreme fear. Through this technique, you can free your mind from unwanted thoughts and become more in control of your emotions.
10.Don’t be afraid of fear.
As mentioned, fear shouldn’t be treated as a foe. Sometimes, it empowers us to do more than what we think we can do. Doctors get tensewhenever they perform a surgery, and this sense of fear helps them save a life. Examinees who are really scared about the test are usually those who score higher. When you know how to use your fear wisely, it’s going to be a friend that will make you a better person.
Dear Readers,
Was there any moment in your life when you were overwhelmed by fear? What did you do to overcome it?
