When we think about fear, it is most often attributed to feelings of unease or anxiousness, a feeling that arises in response to something that our brains perceive as dangerous or that makes us feel unsafe. In the larger emotional reaction that is fear, there are a few different factors that come into play.
There are rational and irrational fears, there is fear of the unknown, there is fear of certain situations, among others. What’s more, there are a multitude of ways to deal with fear: there is embracing fear, accepting fear as well as overcoming fear- and you’ll most likely need to employ a variety of techniques in order to do all three of these things.
Tips to Overcome Fear
All of us have fears and we must all work to accept, embrace and overcome them in order to release control, learn from failure, and grow as human beings. Use the tips below to help you manage your fears and become a stronger, more powerful version of yourself.
Be Aware of It
Before you are able to accept, embrace, or even overcome fear, the first step is to acknowledge that it exists. Put words to your emotions and say them out loud or write down what it is you fear.
Accept that There are Things you Cannot Control
There are so many factors to our everyday life and existence as human beings that we just cannot control and yet they are still common sources of fear and anxiety. If you take the time to accept that you have no control over these things, you can limit the power they have over you.
Dig a Little Deeper
Where is the fear coming from? Where and when did it start? Embracing or overcoming your fears means sitting down with your thoughts, even meditating if possible, and digging a little deeper into the sources of those fears.
It will not only help you learn a little more about yourself but you may find that the fear isn’t as strong or scary as you once thought it was.
Practice Mindfulness
Being mindful is the ability to practice the power of being fully present and being in control of your own experience. You can use the power of being mindful to focus on the emotions and feelings behind your fears, acknowledging them when they crop up - in a non-judgemental way - and take a step back with the intention of understanding those feelings and thoughts in order to embrace the fear itself.
Fall Back on the Power of Positivity
Positivity is a superpower! Directing your brain to positive thoughts not only takes the focus off of the fear, it also helps reinforce your feelings of safety, of being loved and accepted, and can even help your problem solving skills.
Being positive can help you both accept the fear as well as overcome it as you use your rational brain to bring fears into perspective.
Use Visualization Techniques
Visualization involves imagining our deepest ambitions and goals as true and already in existence, thereby enabling our subconscious mind to cement this new reality as the actual one.
This comes in handy when it comes to overcoming fear as you can visualize yourself in the exact situation that you fear, and create the reality of fearlessness. Visualization doesn’t need to be solely in your mind either - you can journal out this reality, make a vision board, or include positive affirmations to place yourself above and outside the reach of your fears.
Make Time for Movement
Movement to the rescue once again! Exercise is a way to not only quiet your mind and quell the fearful feelings but also pump you up with the help of some happy endorphins.
You’ll reap the mental benefits, too- like increased creativity and improved decision making. Movement could be anything that makes you happy, from a sweaty HIIT session or a quick walk around the block, to some gentle stretching or a bike ride.
Don’t Forget your Self-Care
No matter the fearful scenario you find yourself in, taking time to care for your mind, body and soul through self-care practices can help you put fears in their place and release any anxiety and stress they are causing.
Self-care practices are as wide and varied as each of our personalities and the method you choose will depend entirely upon you. All that matters is you make time for you.