The Illusion of Safety: Fear Helps You Stay Safe
Have you ever thanked the fearful part of your brain? Yes, fear can be both your best friend and worst enemy because it's a natural response to danger, which exists as long as you need to avoid things that could actually harm you.
It may sound counterintuitive to say that fear has helped you stay safe throughout history, but it's true! Fear of being eaten by wild animals kept your ancestors from venturing into the forest alone at night, where they could have been snatched up by an animal lurking in the dark. Thankfully, you are no longer running away from lions and tigers, but your brainy has not fully developed to the new era we live in.
When I feel an overwhelming sense of paralyzing fear, I like to take a moment to thank my brain for the years of evolution that protected all of human kind on this planet.
Thanking my brain for doing its job can sometimes silence the fear, but if that’s not enough, I have some other tips for you.
1. Understand that your fears are illusions.
Most of the things we are afraid of will never, ever come true. One way to remind yourself that your fears are self-created, is to write them down on paper. Getting the thoughts out of your head and onto the page will help free up some space in your mind for clarity.
Write down a list of most of the things you are afraid of happening. Then on another sheet of paper, write down why each one of those fears isn’t realistic.
To feel even better, write down a plan you could follow to survive each one of those unreal events. You may feel like all this is just a waste of time, but I promise that by following these steps you will feel the fear dissipate and free yourself from its paralysis. Which leads into step 2.
2. Also understand that you can overcome anything.
Write down all of the things that you have survived that you never thought you would. There were so many events in my life that I never thought I would be able to make it through, (deaths of loved ones, bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, etc.) but here I am: not only surviving, but thriving.
3. Take a break.
Sometimes simply stepping away from our usual environment can help us see our problems in a new light. Take some time to meditate or pray and find clarity through the stress.
4. Remind your body that the stress your feeling is self-created.
More than likely, your own thoughts have created the stress you feel about your current situation. By remembering that the stress and fears are occurring inside yourself, try to relax and put your mind outside of your body to look at your situation objectively.
At this point in my life, I can say with confidence that there is nothing left to be afraid of because every moment has led me to where I am today: a better version than yesterday. With each challenge overcome, you become stronger and more capable for what's next!
Post Updated 1 Dec 2020
