5 Ways To Help Us Manage Fear
Fear. An inevitable and inescapable part of life, and right now globally and locally, fear is rising. We are living in extraordinary times and we do not know what the future holds next week or even tomorrow. So how do we get a handle on our fear? How can we stop it from hijacking our thoughts and squeezing all the enjoyment from our lives? While no one can predict the future or control outcomes, there are some tips that might help you to manage your relationship with fear, even now.
1. Make the conscious decision to focus on what IS working in your situation right now and then make time to remember or highlight those things. You simply must MAKE time to focus on what you can be grateful for, even in the most frightful situations. And there is always something to be grateful for, and unfortunately situations can always be worse. Your immune system can become compromised when you’re worrying or in fear so make time to count your blessings every single day and stay healthier.
2. While it’s important to keep up to date with the latest news, make a deal with yourself to limit the amount of news you watch. Once you are up to date with local area news, do something you enjoy. It can be really helpful to try and schedule time each day where you watch or read the latest updates, and then change your focus and watch an uplifting movie or read a good book or phone a supportive friend.
3. Keep bringing yourself back to the present moment. Fear is generally in the future, where we worry about what we will face or how we will cope if a situation worsens. All these potential outcomes can raise our stress and anxiety and fear levels, leaving us overwhelmed or for some paralysed with fear or experiencing a mounting panic. If we focus on our breathing, and close our eyes and practice mindfulness, we can bring our fear back into control. All we really have is endless moments of now, and now is where love and peace and happiness is.
4. Stay connected. Reach out and message a friend, call them on the phone, talk and support each other with positive words and thoughts, and remember to reach out to Lifeline or Beyond Blue or other professional support organisations. You are not alone and there are others who want to support you and listen. Reach out.
5. Be KIND and respectful; ALWAYS
Fear, panic and scarcity can mix, and then human beings can start to exhibit behaviour that is simply not kind. Take a moment, take a breath, take a pause, find the space between stimulus and response, and find the distinction between reaction and response. And finally, in this time of change and social distancing many of us who are used to hugging and handshaking and feel connected by touch will find it a challenge.
Next time you see someone you know, or love and you would normally run in for a hug, try a ‘Namaste’ instead.
“Namaste - the divine in me respectfully recognizes the divine in you.”
We are united, we are the same, we are one.
Jo Devin, Co-founder, Positive Living Skills www.positivelivingskills.com.au
