Table of contents:
- How can fear arise?
- How to overcome excessive fear?
- 1. Face fear
- 2. Calm yourself
- 3. Identify your anxiety and fear triggers
- 4. Think more positively
- 5. Imagine the worst that could happen
- 6. Avoid trying to be perfect
- 7. Avoid taking it out on alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
Whether it's fear of losing someone you love or just watching a horror movie, everyone is afraid of it. Fear in itself doesn't mean you are weak. Fear is part of the natural human instinct to survive. However, not all fears are the same. Excessive fear can also have a negative impact. But still, there are many ways to get rid of excessive fear. Check out the full review below.
How can fear arise?
Fear can occur in two stages, namely a biochemical reaction and an emotional response. When we feel scared, the body will automatically release a large amount of the stress hormone adrenaline. This is a biochemical reaction, which then causes several physical reactions such as heavy sweating and a racing heart.
These biochemical reactions occur in any situation that triggers fear, whether they are real, such as facing major surgery, or those that are triggered only by emotional conditions, such as fear of public speaking or stage fright. Ultimately, this fear triggers an emotional response, such as anxiety or a desire to avoid it.
On the other hand, fear that is triggered by emotional states tends to be more subjective in nature and not always realistic. For example, fear of socializing with people as shown in people who have social phobia.
This can be caused by excessive anxiety about a certain thing or condition resulting in the desire to avoid it at all costs. This emotional state can also trigger the same biochemical reactions in the body and cause long-lasting anxiety disorders.
So, when your fear feels excessive, it's better to find the right way to eliminate or overcome it.
How to overcome excessive fear?
Here are some ways you can deal with the excessive fear and anxiety they cause in your daily life:
1. Face fear
In fact, one of the simplest ways to get rid of fear is to face the fear itself. Maybe this sounds really hard to do, but that doesn't mean you can't do it, right?
Constantly avoiding things that make you fearful will actually get in the way of things you should or want to do. It could be that before you start trying to do something, you have already backed off because you are haunted by fear.
Therefore, the most effective way to get rid of fear is to face it. It may seem difficult at first, but over time, you will get more used to it until the fear goes away on its own.
2. Calm yourself
When you feel scared, you may experience a variety of physical symptoms that cause you to feel uncomfortable. In fact, these symptoms actually make the atmosphere and condition worse. Therefore, in order to conquer fear, you need to be in a relaxed state and free from stress.
The way to get rid of fear is to calm down physically and mentally first. This can be done by taking deep breaths, drinking water, or trying to distract yourself from your fear by taking a short walk while listening to cheerful music.
3. Identify your anxiety and fear triggers
According to the Mental Health Foundation, one way to overcome or eliminate excessive fear is to first identify the trigger. If possible, try to keep a journal any time you feel overly afraid.
From this journal entry, you will be able to understand what is really going on and whenever the fear arises. You can also write down simple goals to help you deal with this fear if it comes up at a later date.
This can be an effective way of dealing with or eliminating fear and is worth trying.
4. Think more positively
When you have excessive fear, you may tend to be more pessimistic when faced with various things. There are negative thoughts that haunt you, before you even give yourself a chance to try them.
Excessive negative thoughts can also keep you from growing, because from them fear builds up. Therefore, start filling your mind with positive things.
Believing everything will be OK and turning anxiety into a positive thing when you get past your fear are ways you can try to get rid of your fear. This can make you more immune to the stress that comes when you are afraid.
5. Imagine the worst that could happen
Try to think of the worst that could possibly happen. For example, the worst thing that could happen if you do the thing you fear, for example, has a panic attack or a heart attack.
Then, position you to have a heart attack. If that seems very unlikely, it may just be appearing in your mind. Not only that, but when you predict the worst that could happen, you'll be better prepared to deal with the causes of your fear.
6. Avoid trying to be perfect
Accepting the truth will make it much easier for you to feel calm and better prepared to face fear. It is therefore important to remember that bad things happen naturally and to know that not everything in the world is under your control.
7. Avoid taking it out on alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
Try to always minimize the use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs if you feel the need to stay away from anxiety. Instead, try healthier ways like getting enough rest and sleep at night to reduce the feeling of being depressed when you want to get rid of your fear.