How can you overcome fear?

Fear was taken from the Greek uuβοu,phóbos, meaning ‘fear’. Although classed as one of the negative emotions. It can have some positive value. After all because we are human, it is necessary to have both positive and negative emotion, to enable us to feel.

Fear is distressing, a sensation induced by a perceived threat to one’s wellbeing. It is a survival mechanism for the onset of danger.

In controlled amounts, fear protects us, from both physical and psychological danger. Too much however, can literally paralyse us, or distort our perception of reality.

It is up to us therefore to capture what is the positive value within fear, without succumbing to it’s excesses.

Some of us have what is referred to as “Irrational fears”, because they have no chance of happening.

For more rational fears, our emotional intelligence clicks in and evaluates options available to us. During those times of negative fear it is useful, if possible to ask ourselves. “What are we afraid of?”

To identify, is the first step to addressing the feeling of action, logic or both.

In moderation our fears help us live a better life, in the extreme it is of course unhealthy.

Fear of being alone - Helps us reach compromises with others.
Fear of failure - Helps us accomplish our goals. Helps motivate us to prepare, organize, and persist.
Fear of the unknown - Helps us take reasonable precautions and prevents us from unreasonable risk.
Fear of losing control - Helps us take the steps necessary to regain a sense of control over our lives.
Fear of dependence - Helps us develop our own resources and become self-reliant.
Emotions are played out in our daily lives. Fear is one such emotion that is pre-programmed into all animals and people. It is an ‘Instinctive response to potential danger.

When an individual experiences fear, certain areas in the brain, such as the amygdale and the hypothalamus are immediately activated. Chemicals such as adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol are released into the blood stream causing certain physical reactions such as:-

• Rapid heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Tightening of muscles
• Sharpened or redirected senses
• Dilation of the pupils (to let in more light)
• Increased sweating
As with many human emotions, Fear is extremely powerful and can affect us both mentally and physically,

Fear on all levels can destroy lives. If we allow fear to govern our actions, it will remove the ability to live in loved based existence.

Because fear is self perpetuating, the more we respond, the more we have allowed it to perpetuate, allowing it to take control.

Next time you have the emotion of fear try to respond with love. In my opinion there is no other way.

Nonetheless, fear is a creation made by ourselves and made stronger by the amount we have fed fear.

Fear does not exist, unless we as individuals give fear life.