Fear lives within all of us, whether we like it or not. Everyone has experienced fear in some capacity throughout their lives, it can be a real obstacle that keeps us from be successful if we cannot combat it.
Don’t let fear hold you back. Here are 9 ways to overcome fear:
Separate Reality from Perception
Ask yourself what is actually happening. Find the facts and focus on those rather than your feelings.
Identify Your Triggers
Find out what triggers you. By identifying it, you can learn to overcome it.
Learn Where You Carry Fear
Fear manifests itself physically. Everyone is affected by it in different ways. You can hold fear, anxiety, and stress in your body. You can learn stretches and other ways to physically relieve and avoid pain.
Practice Gratitude
Make a list of the things you are grateful for. It doesn’t have to be long, just 1-3 things each day. This will help to put you in a positive mindset which will eventually help you overcome fear.
Listen to Yourself
Many of us have an inner voice that sometimes says some not-so-positive things. The rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t say it to a friend or loved one, don’t say it to yourself. Speak positively to yourself and remember what your strengths are.
Create New Associations
Remind yourself that feelings will pass. A scary moment of feeling does not have to be the final outcome. Focus on the positives of situations.
Be Optimistic
The way you look at the world is powerful. It determines how you feel and respond to the world around you. If your think optimistically rather than pessimistically, you’ll have a better chance of finding success. Practice make perfect, this isn’t something that will change overnight.
Use Breathing Exercises
Breath helps your center and ground your body. When you stop breathing, your heart also stops beating. Grounding exercises can be short or long, they can be as simple as taking 5 deep, long breaths to calm yourself. Try to start your day with these exercises.
Create a Safe Space for Yourself
When you feel safe, there is no room for fear to come in. Find somewhere safe, physically or mentally, that you can go to when you need to. This could be somewhere like a room in your house, or a scenic beach in your mind.
These are just 9 ways, there are so many more! Keep in mind that not everything will work for everyone, and that it perfectly okay. This is a good place to start to get an idea of what works for you. Don’t let fear hold you back in any aspect of your life!
