Fear grips everyone at some point in their life. Some it effects more than others and often creates such a problem that they are unable to function, socially, physically and mentally. Fear is the basis of phobias many individuals suffer as well. Fear affects everyone regardless of size, strength, wealth, religion, race, disability or age. Fear knows no boundaries and it’s effects are wide and sometimes consuming. Overcoming your fears can lead to a higher independence, promote opportunities and help improve oneself.
Realizing the cause of your fear is the first step to overcoming it. Finding out what holds you back or the cause of your fears is critical to overcoming it. If you don’t know why or what the cause of your fears are, you cannot address it nor, will you be able to find solutions to overcoming your fears. Often times, fears are a result of some type of traumatic event you have had in your life. If you are unable to seek and find the basis for your fears on your own, a proffessionals opinion will usually help. If your fears are simple annoyances, that don’t create a problem in your life, with minor adjustment and self help, you can usually overcome them on your own. Any time a fear limits or inhibits your life, happiness and success, you should seek professional guidance, therapy and advice.
Set realistic goals for overcoming the fears you have. From simple fears such as social skills, to intense fears and phobias, you will need to set goals and steps to follow to overcome them. Some fears will require complete life changes, behavior modification and more work, depending on the severity of the fear. Work slowly and comfortably to change your way of thinking and bring you closer to overcoming your fear. Create steps,patterns and ideas to implement situations into your life. This will make them routine to prepare you for unexpected fear encounters and how to deal with them appropriately and rationally. Making a fear encounter, a common event, gets you used to the situation of being exposed and better prepares you. Make sure you have solid support, so if you back out or need assistance to follow through, you have it. Practice over and over being exposed to your fears before actually doing it, so you are familiar with yourself and your reactions. This will help you find the appropriate response or solution, so you can manage it accordingly when you are actually faced with it. Start small and go bigger over time as you become less fearful. Take classes or sign up for a support group that focuses on your specific fear to get tips from others and help each other. You would be surprised to find out how many others have the same fears.
If your fear is researchable, find out all you can about it. Research effective solutions and treatments, including medication if needed. Many people simply have anxiety that can be dealt with through therapy and medication to help control your feelings of fear. Don’t work your life around avoiding your fear, this leads to isolation, loss of life experiences and can sometimes make your fears more intense and blown out of porportion inhibiting your happiness and freedom. Don’t let your fears keep you from having the life you want, seek out help, focus on what triggers your fear and work on them little by little until you have completely overcome them and have the life you want.
