FEAR AND THE FACTS

Emotions can be our teachers.  In a time of fear and uncertainty, it helps to maintain a healthy perspective on what fear actually is about. Like any of our other emotions, fear is part of life and has much to teach us if we are willing to listen. 

When you are feeling anxious, it is useful to remind yourself that it is an emotion and emotions are essentially a communication system attempting to alert you to something in your environment.  It is up to you whether you follow through with the feeling or not.  

Remember, emotions are not facts. Rather, they are a subjective interpretation of your experience.  A useful analogy is that of an alarm system.  Sometimes alarm systems are faulty and at other times they go off for a good reason.  Fear could be based on a faulty system or be an appropriate signal.

Ask yourself if the fear you are feeling relates to a real and immediate issue.  If it does, act accordingly.  Address the issue directly.  

If on the other hand the fear is a faulty alarm, you can acknowledge the fear and breath into it.  Remind yourself that it is just a feeling.  You do not have to fear the feeling itself.  This is an important point.  Notice how the feeling of fear feels in your body and tell yourself that it just a feeling.  Take a deep breath and notice what it feels like to relax into the feeling.

Do not be too hard on yourself if you do not get this right immediately. It takes practice and courage to sit with the feeling of anxiety in your body.  Little bits of practice over time will pay off and if you find it particularly challenging it can be helpful to practice this skill with a mental health professional.  Eventually, as you become more comfortable with the discomfort, you will find that you have the choice to respond or not. This can bring a sense of relief and mastery. You are in charge.