By: Cinita Mannings, RN, BSN
FEAR. Psychological studies show fear is a natural, intense, and primitive human emotion.
Genuine fear may paralyze a person. Fear of the unknown, fear of dying, fear of failing, fear of living, yes "living," or fear of making the wrong decision may cripple a person emotionally, cognitively, and physically, impeding their life's development.
Fear may cause a person to commit unimaginable, irresponsible, and incomprehensible acts that they would not typically do without fear; like any other sickness, it physically impacts their body. Cortisol and adrenaline are released as stress hormones due to true terror; heart rate and blood pressure rise; breathing becomes more rapid; blood flow changes; blood flows away from the heart and into the limbs, and the flight or fight response is activated naturally. When confronted with constant fear, a person's life may become stagnant because fear keeps them from reaching their most significant potential and following their dreams.
You can rest assured that everyone is afraid of something or has been faced with something dreadful; sickness, unemployment, the future, etc. It is essential to understand that fear is a familiar and natural human feeling, regardless of who we are or what we have; nevertheless, learning to cope with anxiety separates successful individuals from unsuccessful ones. Successful people courageously face their fears; they tackle their worries with bravery and resiliency.
Now that your understanding of the effects of fear may be somewhat more precise, dealing with anxiety constructively will be one of the most crucial things you'll have to do to live a happy and prosperous life. You may be wondering, "How do you do this?"
First, recognize your fear. Concealing your fear does not eliminate it; its power will increase with each repetition. The first step in conquering your anxieties is admitting that you have them and doing so will bring you one step closer to tackling them bravely. Additionally, acknowledging and accepting your fears will remove any shame and, therefore, cannot be used against you.
Remember: Bravery is not the absence of moving but moving ahead despite fear.
Consider these practical techniques to overcome your fears:
Confront it. Understanding your worries makes facing them simpler. Fear must be met to overcome it. If you allow it, fear may be a lifelong foe.
If you're hesitant to start a dream company, ask yourself, "Am I terrified because I can't do it, or do I fear failure? You'll learn that fear often depends on not feeling bad about yourself. But you can use this to your advantage; it is an experience that can only strengthen you.
Practice positive self-talk. Speak positive thoughts to yourself. Fear may result from being fed negativity while you are terrified.
Rather than dwelling on negative ideas, replace them with positive self-talk such as "I am capable of this, even if it isn't perfect" and "It's all right. I can always learn if I don't know enough." Remember that everyone started as a novice, just like you. Your self-assurance will rise.
Remain Focused. Focus on your work, school, kids, etc. Remaining focused will allow you to stay calm and level-headed. It may help you keep your composure and reduce anxiety.
When we feel fearful, we are frequently concerned with what could happen rather than what is occurring right now. These are the kinds of thoughts that make us nervous. Learn to recognize these thoughts, manage them positively, and not allow them to rule you.
Accept failure. So many of us were taught that loss is terrible, but that is not entirely true; failure can be one of life's most outstanding teachers, and some of our most incredible experiences come from failing.
Do not be afraid to fail. Consider it a learning experience where you can only improve by making errors; errors assist you in developing resilience and overcoming any future obstacles. Maintain a growth mentality, trust you can learn from your mistakes, and try again.
By no means am I saying that we should be comfortable with failing; I am saying that we should not be afraid to fail because the experience will have taught us some valuable lessons for our next attempt.
Remember: You don't have to do it right the first time or the second time; some of the best success stories start with failure, and it's not something to be ashamed of. Some of the greatest inventions were based on countless failed attempts. Facing your anxieties will be difficult, but don't give up on yourself while still learning. Finally, feel free to allow yourself as many opportunities as you need.
Push through your fears. You'll be happy you did!