Fear can create strong signals of response when we’re in emergencies – for instance, if we are caught in a fire or are being attacked. This is a response to danger and is designed to keep us safe.
Fear can also run when you’re faced with non-dangerous events coming up, like exams, public speaking, a new job, a date, or even a party. It’s a natural response to a threat that can be either perceived or emotionally real.
Anxiety is a word we use for some types of fear that are usually to do with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, rather than right now.
Fear and anxiety can last for a short time and then pass, but they can also last much longer and you can get stuck with them. In some cases they can take over your life, affecting your ability to eat, sleep, concentrate, travel, enjoy life, or even leave the house or go to work or school. This can hold you back from doing things you want or need to do, and it also affects your health. It then affects your confidence, self esteem, relationships, and your prosperity.
Some people become so overwhelmed by fear and want to avoid situations that might make them frightened or anxious. It can be hard to break this cycle, but there are lots of ways to do it. You can learn to feel less fearful and to cope with fear so that it doesn’t stop you from living. Change your brain through mental rehearsal, breathing practices, NLP tools and any other strategy that works for you.
It starts with making a choice to change your response, and then a decision to learn how to make that change. Do not live in fear…freedom is a place worth finding.