Nothing damages our body, mind and soul more than fear. The course that fear takes in our life travels through every inch of our being, causing us to physically/emotionally live out its damaging effects. Think about it for a minute. When we’re living our life in “fear” our eating habits, sleeping patterns, exercise routine, etc., are all impacted. We eat emotionally, sleep irregularly and feel overwhelmed, directly affecting our desire to do anything more or anything consistently. The cycle of fear traps us inside ourselves, causing us to live our life shell shocked and desperately below our full potential. Overcoming fear is possible, if you have faith that you can overcome the fear. Putting into practice practical things (i.e. eating healthy, exercising regularly and practicing faith) will help balance and stimulate wellness in our lives, allowing us to put “fear” into its proper perspective. Below are my three key components to overcoming fear:
Reality check
Fear is not a reality as much as it’s an emotional reaction birthed out of a perception that whatever you’re facing has control over you. Physical fear is a very real experience and can be for our own protection. Recognizing our physical limitations against a dominating force is wisdom. Fear has very real physical effects on us (increased adrenaline) which in turn causes physical/emotional reactions. But keeping our mental/emotional strength in check is our only device when physically we are weaker than what comes against us. Once we experience “fear” we must immediately learn to reject fear from living in us beyond what is reasonable (i.e. daily reliving our experience). When fear starts to well up inside you, learn to quickly examine what’s at the root of your fear. Is it physical, emotional, spiritual? Some fears are very real and obvious (physical attack, danger, etc.) while other fears are much more intangible (i.e. what the future holds, performance anxiety, etc.). At the root of many fears can be something as simple as an imbalance in our lives. When we put into check what is “real” versus what is “expected or perceived” we save ourselves from experiencing unwanted anxiety that can deplete us physically and emotionally.
Sleep deprivation
Getting a good night’s sleep does wonders for balancing our hormones, which in turn affects every area of our wellbeing. When we sleep our serotonin is replenished (feel good hormone), regenerating our body and mind for the next day. Six to eight hours of sleep is needed every night in order to elevate our serotonin to a healthy level. If you find yourself not getting the sleep you need or that you’re waking throughout the night begin an exercise routine (30-45 minutes a day). The endorphins that we receive during exercise not only help us feel good while exercising, they also replenish the body with “feel good” hormones that last throughout the day. Insomnia (sleeplessness) depletes our serotonin, causing us to be tired and worn out the next day, making us a moving target.
Diet
When stress begins to mount up against us (i.e. fear, illness, etc.) our body begins reacting physically. For example, blood is sent away from the digestive tract causing diarrhea. Symptoms such as sweating, caused by an increase in adrenaline which in turns sends blood rushing to the skin’s surface, only add to our physical anxiety. Everything in our body reacts to fear including our heart rate, which rapidly increases in an effort to help our body handle the stress it is under. The result of the physical responses can cause us to reach for unhealthy food/drink choices. If our body is depleted of healthy, balanced nutrients, proteins and vitamins, the end result of what the stress does to our body will make us physically sick/ill. If you find yourself under stress or experiencing fear, never eat empty calories/junk food. If and when you feel like eating, reach for a piece of fruit or some almonds, eat slowly and drink plenty of water. Often, fear will leave you unable to eat anything for a long period of time so remember to slowly “graze” your food (small amounts over a period of an hour) to allow your body to rebuild its physical strength.
Quick tip for wellness: Never allow “fear” to become a “factor” in your overall wellness. Take control of fear before fear takes control of you.
Quick Tips for Wellness Copyright © 2011
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