Living with fear
What fear actually is, how it affects our little bodies and hearts and all my tips to support you little treasures in living with fear.
We’re swimming in it at the moment, it’s coming out of the news like hot cakes, on the headlines, in the paper, in the guidelines. Of course I understand some of the guidelines are to support us, but the media really have an lot to answer for, this ability to whip us up into a frenzy can be so harmful.
We also have every right to read up and listen to as much of the ever changing news as we like, so how do we live with all this fear around us?
Solutions have to come from within, finding your own way to process the triggers felt, mixed messaging and pressure coming from a place of fear.
Fear, otherwise known as False, Evidence, Appearing Real, this is a good analogy if you are like me and scared of the dark, as soon as the lights go off, I can imagine a monster is going to come and gruesomely devour me! I also can’t watch those sorts of movies, you know the ones that leave you terrified before going to bed, they hang around and haunt me for ages. This fear analogy could also be used for some of the hype and media BS that we are being fed, false evidence appearing real?! Ooooo Emily, put your claws away!
Another saying I hear, is feel the fear and do it anyway, well in the current situation, I feel its more, feel the fear and simply batten down the hatches. However there is some truth in this saying, there are ways to push through fear if there is something you really want to do, you can tap into that courage and hunger, I share more about solutions for this below in the therapy section.
If your like me and agitated and triggered easily by the next scary monster around the corner, you might find my tips below useful on dealing with hype and fear that we are currently facing.
Fear tips below
Focusing on my loves/passions/what I like to do
I always harp on about this but if you are sat there re-watching or obsessing over the news, you will be fed with more worry. I am not staying don’t keep yourself up to date, but focusing your time being poured into your loves, perhaps its creative writing, longboarding, dancing, gardening, baking, reading, whatever tickles your heart, go do it! It’s an act of kindness and nourishing self care.
Exercise, that you enjoy
I love weight training and I am lucky to have an awesome PT, who really makes me giggle, so I get a double hit giggles, endorphins released and yeah my biceps are getting bigger 😉 nothing wrong with small biceps either 🙂
Fresh air
Walking, getting in that fresh air, Vitamin D from the sun and connecting with your buddies and nature in the physical is so important. It provides that time out, to gain a fresher perspective, literally, you are breathing in a different environment and gives an opportunity to gain the bigger perspective on things. Whenever I see the sea, not only does it calm me, but it makes me realise my problems/fears seems a bit small when facing a vast energy that’s always changing, the sea!
Having a morning routine that isn’t harmful
being a human is full on enough, mornings can be full on enough for us non morning people, so starting with your stretches, cup of tea, music, just be super gentle on yourself, you don’t need to launch straight into the drama, but then again perhaps you need that to get you going?! Not my cup of tea, though, literally.
Knowing where my support is
Following, staying close to speakers, social media accounts, that I feel resonate, comfort and support me. It might be someone, something that makes you laugh, or speaks up when you feel you can’t, or simply makes you feel relaxed. I am lucky enough to have the presence of a guru in my life, which isn’t for everyone, for some its their football community or going to church, or listening to a podcast, whatever it is, make sure it supports you.
Preparing before I read the news
Reading the news to keep up to date, but preparing before I look, it’s 99% going to be something in the headlines, that I don’t agree with or will push my irritation buttons, so I ask myself, is now the best time to read this, do I want to do this to myself? If you feel strong and ready, then go right ahead. But its a good one to take a step back before going in, think of it like going into the fire pit and its a good time to check in with yourself.
Fear, what does it do to us?
What does it do to our bodies? It stimulates the hormone cortisol to be released from our adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys, providing our nervous system with the stimulated fight or flight response. Are we preparing to fight and speak up, or are we retreating or freezing? Of course some fear is perfectly natural and beneficial, as we are wild creatures adapting to change, but too much and its going to agitate our nervous system and deplete our immune system.
What does fear do to our emotions? Fear elicits a response from our gut brain, (we have 3 brains our head, heart and gut) which often negates the heart brain, so yes, our hearts our closing off and we might not be as compassionate and our rational mind is gone off for a vacation.
If your struggling after trying self care tips at home, then check out the below therapy solutions
Reiki – the most relaxing, gentle treatment there is, opening up the heart chakra, soothing your nervous system and providing insight and clarity tailored just for you precious beings. Most people share they feel more refreshed, clearer and connected after a treatment. Check out zen Ted below, getting his chakras aligned.
Mbit coaching – connecting in with your three brains (head, heart and gut) and most importantly listening to your heart, opening it up and engaging again with your heart felt values. A guided coaching session to help you feel more connected to your self.
Fear is felt in the front of the gut and courage is felt in the back of the gut, which can help push through the fear, once the nervous system is balanced and we are clear on what we want to achieve and what our blocks are.
Bowen – another lush treatment to soothe your nervous system, small rolling moves made over specific points on fascia, (a web network surrounding our muscles, joints, ligaments and nerves), to unravel, unwind and soothe, mind, body and emotions. Trauma and tissue tension is released, providing deep relaxation.
Arnica – a beautiful homeopathic remedy from the arnica flower, below, that is gentle and incredibly potent at bringing you back into your heart, soothing from stress, shock, trauma, injury and also blood clots. It’s a heart remedy for the physical and emotional.
Hopefully that provided some useful tools and techniques in dealing with fear. Be in touch here if I can support further.
