Fear often overlaps. As stated above, they share many of the same symptoms. But someone who is dealing with anxiety issues will have more sensitive fear triggers. Even situations that don’t present an immediate threat may cause feelings of constant fear.
Symptoms of fear include:
- Startle response, usually a sudden movement like flinching or jumping
- A feeling of trepidation or anticipation tied to something specific
- Nervous reaction (like laughing or fidgeting)
- A feeling of relief after the perceived threat is extinguished
Facing Your Fears
Learning how to face your fears can be an intimidating prospect if you don’t understand the specific mechanism behind them. Before you berate yourself for feeling afraid, recognize that fear is a normal evolutionary response. Although you may not feel the same at the moment, your body and brain still tend to communicate with you. When you learn to read and recognize the signals, conquering fear comes naturally.
How can you help yourself?
If you are somehow experiencing overwhelming fear or anxiety, especially a phobia, please try approaching or seeking help from a therapist.
Additionally, here are some suggestions that have helped many patients overcome their fears and living a fearful life:
Appreciate your courage and don’t be too hard on yourself
Tell yourself during your difficult times, that ‘Every time I don’t allow fear to scare me and refrain me from doing something important, I am making myself stronger every passing day and most likely to prepare myself mentality so that the next upcoming fear of mine won’t attack me.’ Don’t be too hard on yourself. Try to keep things in perspective. Don’t worry, we all have bad days and they shall pass.
Use Your Brain More than Different Ways
Your fear and anxiety arise out of a certain part of your brain, and they allow emotions to overcome rational thoughts. When you feel your fearful symptoms coming back and forth, try to acknowledge, analyze and think differently while minimizing the risk to sort out things.
Use Nature as Your Natural Therapist
We understand that talking to a therapist is an excellent way to work through your fears. However, you can’t always be at your therapist’s office nor the same is available at your convenience. It is better to go for a long walk to feel better. The natural beauty found in parks, backyards, or wherever possible help reduces symptoms of fear and anxiety. Nature has the magical ability to calm people, reducing stress levels and changing moods from anxiety to relaxation. Plus, opting for physical activities like walking or jogging can help you switch your irrational fearful thoughts to clearer thinking.
Realize when it is causing you a problem
You need to understand or comprehend what your body is going through like when you’re feeling tired or not feeling well and the pressures you face. Also, do not ignore physical warnings such as tense muscles, over-tiredness, headaches, or migraines. It could create some serious issues in the future, try to seek help on an urgent basis.
Identify the causes
Try to identify the underlying causes. Try to sort out the possible reasons for your ongoing stress with a practical solution. Along with this, make sure you get rid of unnecessary elements, things, or people that could hinder your personal growth. There is no point worrying about things you can’t change or things that are worth not giving a second thought.
Take time to relax
Keep prioritizing things and activities you love doing the most. To lessen your fear, you must take time for yourself, indulge in good habits, and surround yourself with positive vibes. There’s a thin line between knowing your responsibilities and being responsible towards your family & friends, you should learn to strike a fine balance between all to reduce stress levels.
Be mindful
Mindfulness meditation can be practiced anywhere and at any time. Researchers have suggested that it can greatly reduce the effects of overwhelming stress, and anxiety, including other related problems such as insomnia, poor concentration, and mood swings in some people.
