Fear of the Coronavirus has taken over the world! It captures headlines, cripples our economy, corrupts consumer behavior and creates pandemonium. And the best of all? It is an unseen force. Fear causes physiological change and ultimately behavioral change and is (mostly) a learned negative emotion.
Whether you join the Coronavirus fear ranks or are one of the last men standing, fear is a very forceful phenomenon. And while you might not share in the hoo haa of the current pandemic threat, we all fall prey to fear.
Fear is a human emotion that is triggered by a perceived threat. As such, it is an essential part of keeping
us safe. It’s a basic survival mechanism that communicates to our bodies to respond with a fight or flight response. However, when we live in constant fear, whether from physical dangers or perceived threats, we can become incapacitated. And when we are primed for fear, even harmless events seem scary. The more scared we feel, the scarier things will seem. This is called potentiation, when our fear response is amplified as we are already in a state of fear. Sounds familiar?
It seems what we should fear, is being fearful. The negative effects that continual fear has on our body, memory and health are detrimental. Although we cannot regulate triggers that make us fearful, we can train our brains to control our response to fear.
1. Practice mindfulness
Pay attention in the present moment. Fear takes us to what if’s, oftentimes merely the product of our rich
imagination. Mindfulness gives us a powerful set of techniques and practices that help us manage those stressors skillfully and help us focus on the here and the now.
2. Be ok with not being in control
We have no control over many things that happen in our lives. If we don’t accept that as a truth, we tend
to become control freaks and micromanage to regulate outcomes. I love the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. It is ok, to not be in control.
3. Don’t deal with it alone
Fear lives in the mind. Talk about your fears to overcome them. Connect with others, do not isolate yourself, reach out to professionals, a trusted friend or coach. A fresh point of view might change your perspective.
4. Educate yourself
Uncertainty and unpredictability What are shown in the media is not always a true reflection of reality. Educate yourself and do not become intoxicated by rumors. Being informed, empowers.
5. Slow down
Fear can paralyze us. Don’t be overtaken by fear. Anxious thoughts have a tendency to consume. The more you try to make sense of, or try to control them, the more they feed into anxiety. Train your brain to stop, assess the situation and take the next wise step. Do not become frantic. Do not blindly follow crowds.
Fear is one of the most vulnerable states we can feel. But it is crucial not to let panic take over
our decision-making and rational thought processes. Always contextualize and let commonsense
prevail. Train yourself to leverage fear.