Fear can be a debilitating emotion that can have a serious negative impact on your life. It can lead to avoidance of activities, lack of motivation and even depression. It is important to recognize and understand your fear and take steps to overcome it. Doing so can lead to increased self-esteem and a greater sense of personal power.
The first step to overcoming fear is to recognize what it is you are afraid of. Identifying the source of your fear can help you to better understand how to tackle it head-on. How do I do that? Once you have recognized what it is you are afraid of, you can begin to take steps to confront it.
One way to take on fear is to have a strategy in place such as getting present in the moment. My favorite technique is squeezing my hands and toes to help my mind snap out of it. Very often our brain will take off telling stories such as, “It never works out anyway”. By getting present in the moment, the fear tends to dissipate in about 30-60 seconds of squeezing my hands and toes. While I use squeezing my hands and toes to get present, a lot of people tend to utilize tapping as a method for getting back to presence.
Another way to tackle fear is to practice positive thinking. Fear can often be rooted in negative self-talk and thoughts. Practice is a key word because it takes quite a bit of practice to reprogram a new way of living. Expect to practice for a minimum of a month. It takes practice to identify the thoughts, and then it takes practice to take action and change the thoughts. It is important to identify those negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. For example, instead of thinking “I can’t do this”, think “I have done this, and I will succeed.” Positive thinking can help you to reduce fear and increase your self-esteem.
Finally, practice self-care. Fear can often be a result of stress and lack of self-care. Make sure to take time for yourself to relax and practice activities that you enjoy. Taking time to care for yourself can help to lower your stress levels and increase your self-confidence. Fear can be a difficult emotion to deal with. However, by recognizing the source of your fear, finding a method that you enjoy for getting back into presence, practicing positive thinking, and taking time for self-care, you can begin to take steps to overcome fear and increase your self-esteem.
