Your fears are the biggest thing holding you back. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Fear is part of your nervous system, programmed from birth to give you the survival instincts you need. But, if your feelings of fear are out of proportion to the danger you believe you are facing, they can stop you from living life to its fullest.
We all have a fear or two, and most of them are relatively harmless. However, if you’re constantly afraid of the dentist, your annual dental checkups or even flying, it can interfere with your daily life and lead to anxiety disorders. These are called phobias. Phobias can be difficult to overcome, but the key is gradual exposure. Start with the easiest, most harmless aspect of what you’re afraid of and work your way up to more challenging situations until you can face them without too much anxiety.
If you’re struggling to cope with your fears, try talking about them with a friend or calling a support service like Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans on 116 123. Physical activity also helps to take your mind off anxious feelings. Try gentle stretches, seated exercise or yoga. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or mindfulness can be helpful too.
The most common fear of all is a fear of loss. This can include a fear of losing your job, your health or your loved ones. It can also be a fear that you won’t be good enough or that you won’t achieve your goals. Fear of loss can stimulate negative emotions such as anger.
Children are often afraid of strangers, the dark, being separated from parents and large objects. These are normal childhood fears that will usually pass as they grow older. But, for some children, these fears may become a phobia that interferes with their daily lives. Phobias are often triggered by an irrational belief that you’re in danger. They can include a fear of closed-in spaces, highway driving, heights, animals and injections such as blood.
Despite the fact that they are often irrational, most phobias develop in early childhood. But, they can also appear later in life.
Fear can cause a range of symptoms, from a fast heartbeat to nausea and breathlessness. These are all signs of anxiety and can be dangerous if they get out of control. Anxiety can also lead to headaches, stomach upsets and a feeling of being unwell. It can be difficult to pinpoint the source of these feelings as they come and go so quickly.
If you’re finding it hard to break the cycle of fear and anxiety, it can be helpful to understand that it is your choice whether or not you let your fears control your life. If you always avoid things that scare you, you’ll never know if they are really as bad as you imagine. You’ll also miss out on the chance to learn how to manage them.