Facing Fear
The unknown and unexpected breeds fear, that’s just the way we humans process things. Fear is not always so bad, because it helps us avoid self harm and survive for another day. However, there is a certain gripping of fear that is unhealthy, not because it exist but because living in it is wasteful, unnecessary, and draining. Today, many of us are facing this sort of fear because we are in a global crisis. Coronavirus as a pandemic is causing a lot of people stress and anxiety. ALVN is reaching out, offering encouragement during this time because when it is finally over, we want ALL of us to walk into the next chapter still whole. Let’s look at how to combat fear.
Breathe:
I visited the cardiologist recently because I had pain I was concerned with. During the ultrasound I saw the wonderful instrument that is our heart. The technician explained how much the heart needs deep oxygenated air to do its job of making us healthy and well energized inside. Deep breathing reduces stress, relieves pain, detoxifies the body, improves immunity, increases energy, lowers blood pressure, and helps correct posture. Some of those benefits are needed at this time in history when we are reading about the spread of coronavirus, and the changes going on globally. The best thing is, breathing is FREE.
Know Your Limits:
Everyone is unique and that means everyone will process stress differently. Just because your neighbor can digest bad news on a daily basis and talk about coronavirus all the time doesn’t mean you can as well. Understand your constitution (your mental and emotional makeup) and don’t apologize for it. If you feel your anxiety levels rising, accept that you might have to protect yourself a little more than most.
Protect Yourself
Just like we need protective mask to avoid infection, so do we need to put a mask over our minds and hearts to avoid the infection of fear. Fear is an emotion, just like sadness, or hurt, or anger. It is acknowledged that to avoid any deep emotion from taking root, it is important to watch what feeds it. We are advised to “watch our circle of influence,” “watch what we listen to or watch,” “watch what we read,” “get a support group,” when trying to battle any emotion. That advise works for a time like this. To be more specific, it’s okay to not know every single person that has died from the disease. It’s okay to not go on social media to hear the cries of panic and public opinion. It’s okay to not watch the news every single hour of the day.
It’s okay to know only the relevant information needed to keep yourself safe, and leave it at that. And finally, it’s okay to tell your friends and social circle your preference.
Replace Fear:
We will think of something and we will feel something. Therefore, let’s fill in that “thinking and feeling” vacuum with the right substance. Pick up your favorite scripture on safety and run with it. Here’s one:
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent (psalm 91:7-10)
Watch a great comedy. This might not be the right time to watch movies on pandemics, natural disasters, or ‘End of the World.’
Finally, Make This Work:
Coronavirus is our current reality, but this too shall pass. Let’s make the best of it. Do you have that book you always wanted to write? Do you have that unfinished project you never had time to finish? Do you finally have an opportunity to not meet some ghastly deadline, and can sleep in a little more? Use this time as a period to recharge, refocus, and rest. Guard yourself against trying to be “relevant” and fall into pseudo busyness. The world is slowing down. Maybe that’s what we need…for a time.
Such great advice in this article. Thank you for sharing!
you are welcome. Hope it helped. Please share.