It sneaks up on you when you least expect it, casts a haunting shadow over your life, and seems to be impossible to get rid of.
Fear.
Whatever your fear may be - commitment, spiders, parenting, darkness, bridges, or politics - it seems almost impossible to overcome.
There is nothing wrong with a little fear. It is completely normal to be afraid of something.
Here are 15 ways to help you overcome fears that keep you up at night:
1. Admit it
Acknowledge that the fear exists. This helps you overcome it, because there is no doubt in your mind of the fear.
2. Investigate
Many of the fears we have exist for a reason. Find the reason. You are more likely to overcome the fear if you know where it came from or why you have it.
3. Write it down
Getting it all out on paper can help work out the problem. It is amazing what answers you may find by just letting your mind wonder with a pen in hand.
4. Talk it out
In our minds we think we have it all together, but that is often a false reality. Talking about the fear out loud can reveal more details about the fear that you may have ever known.
5. Read about it
There are countless books, blogs, stories, and articles about overcoming fears. They describe in detail how to overcome the most specific of fears and what you gain from the experience.
6. Therapy
Therapy can be very helpful in times like these. Having someone listen to you and analyze the fear can bring about new perspective that may be life-changing.
7. Clean up your diet
The foods you consume have a long-lasting effect on your body. Cleaning up the way you eat may cause a chemical reaction helping you overcome the fear.
8. Replace it
Take up a new hobby to cover up and forget that the fear exists. For example, if you have a fear of bridges, choose to go hiking, and you will notice that you will have to cross a few small bridges to get to the desired destination.
9. Role model
Talk to someone you trust and see if they have a few tactics that you could try. Although you may find some credible sources online, getting advice from someone you love or admire means more and can possibly be more helpful.
10. Prayer/Meditation
If you are religious, consider praying for guidance. You may receive the best answers in solitude.
11. Exercise
Sweat out some of the built-up fear, anger, and negative energy through an intense workout. It can bring about much peace and release some of the fear.
12. Thoughts into perspective
What positive outcome has come about from your fear? To every negative there is a positive. In American author Grace Speare's book, Everything Talks to Me,she shares, "For every force, there is a counter force. For every negative there is a positive. For every action there is a reaction. For every cause there is an effect." Consider what you may have gained from this fear.
13. Face it
Face the fear head on. One of the best ways to overcome fear is to experience it. This will strengthen you beyond words and can help you realize that the fear was not as bad as it seemed.
14. Thankful
What are you thankful for? For example, take time to remember the things you like about yourself instead of what you don't.
15. Hypnosis
Hypnotics are common tactics used to get over fear. They convince your brain to think and behave a way that allows your mind to eliminate the fear. For some, this may be to cover up the fear, but for others it may very well be the start of a true recovery.
If there was one sure way to overcome all fears, then safety would have less meaning. It would be less significant because it was a given. Push through your fears the way that is best for you and see where that path may lead you.
