Everyone has things in life they fear and things they stress about from time to time. And every area of life has its stressors and sources of fear. It could be something related to one’s family life, work life or something personal.
Fear and stress, if not kept within limits, can lead to more serious medical problems like depression, anxiety disorders and obesity. Sometimes, stress and fear can paralyze a person completely, making them unable to live a normal life.
There are also things that can cause fear and stress without the person fully understanding why. Regardless of what caused this fear and stress, it is important to address the source. If the fear and stress is from a real threat then this is obviously imperative. However, sometimes the fear is irrational, like a phobia. In this case it’s important to get it treated.
Common phobias that can cause immense fear in a person’s working life include fear of heights, fear of flying and a fear of public speaking. People often subconsciously sabotage their own careers for fear that advancement would lead to exposure to the object of their fear. For example, a person with a fear of public speaking may be asked to speak to groups with the additional responsibility a promotion might bring. However, this fear can be easily treated through a course of fear of public speaking hypnotherapy.
Unhealthy Ways to Cope Up With Stress
People cope with fear and stress in a variety of ways. Everyone turns to something to make them feel better after a bad day. While they do provide some temporary relief, they can have a negative impact and if used over and over these ways of coping can turn into an unhealthy lifestyle.
- Alcohol
For some people, it is great to have a glass of wine or a cold beer with family and friends after a long day of work. Red wine even has health benefits if enjoyed in moderation according to some experts.
However, too much of anything can be dangerous and that is certainly true with alcohol. Alcohol is actually a depressant that slows down the brain and the nervous system, which does help reduce stress. But in larger doses it can trigger bouts of anxiety and rage leading to aggressive behaviour towards people around you. As a result, you get more stressed as the alcohol adds to the original stressor.
- Poor Diet
Food is often seen as a good way to unwind for many people. If you enjoy a good meal with the people you love, you forget about life’s challenges and enjoy the blessings around you. However, some people take it to the extreme and binge on the food they love.
Binge eating is dangerous because it can trigger a lot of health problems and cause more stress. Binge eating causes sugar imbalance, making situations look more stressful than they actually are.
- Smoking
Smoking is another unhealthy way of dealing with stress and fear. Many smokers often suffer from tobacco dependence to the point they could not break away from the habit. Nicotine and tobacco can cause a lot of problems, from poor sleep, irritability, to throat and respiratory problems leading to cancer and heart disease.
- Self-Harm
For some people, they believe harming themselves is a good way to deal with stress. While it may take your mind off from stress, it will come back just as quickly as you hurt yourself. Scars made from self-harm can also be a stress trigger, which can add to stress.
- Harming Others
Finally, there are people who vent their stress and fear out to others. Some people who do this do not even realize it until the damage is done. While venting it out is a way to release stress, it will create a lot of problems for your relationships. In turn, it causes more stress for you to sort out.
What can help you reduce stress and fear?
Stress and fear can actually be beaten by positive and healthy means. Since stress and fear is our internal response to potential threats, managing it is easy if you know where to start.
Here are some ways you can cope up with stress and fear without worrying about its side effects:
Meditation
Meditation is the most popular way to cope up with stress and fear. During this activity, you clear your mind and allow it to enter a state of rest and alertness. When you are in this state, your body will reverse your stress response and reduce the tension you are feeling. It also allows the body to release neurotransmitters that improves your well-being. It will also help you sleep and stay focused.
Meditation also helps you discover your true self. A person does not know their true self until they understand their consciousness. Understanding this will help you feel more in touch with your emotions and figure out who you really are.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is another way of touching your mind and focusing on what is going on around you. It helps a person accept what is before them and what they are feeling. They also become more aware of the sensations and ideas coming to their mind.
If one adds mindfulness to their routine, it will help improve their mood. Since your thoughts are more in tune with the world around you, you will be able to assess what you are thinking. As well as reducing the stress response it also improves the immune system.
Sleep
They say a person should have at least 8 hours of sleep every day to recharge themselves fully. This saying is actually true, especially if you had a stressful day. If you are thinking too much, stress can affect how well you sleep and how long you stay asleep. It will then affect your body’s abilities to stay focused and do things you need to do. Sleep deprivation can also cause chronic health conditions such as stroke.
If you are doing meditation or mindfulness exercises, it will improve the quality of your sleep. You will be able to relax your body and have a lot of energy to focus on what you need to do. A good sleep will also help you reduce your cholesterol levels and relax.
Therapy for any phobias or anxiety disorders
If the techniques above are not sufficient, seek professional help with a good therapist. Hypnotherapy is the most effective form of therapy for irrational fears and stress because it works directly with the unconscious mind. But other therapies are also available and it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.
Final thoughts
It is ok to feel stressed or fearful about something. It is a natural response of the mind to things we consider as a threat. However, we should not let this stress and fear conquer our mind and deal with it through unhealthy means. With meditation, mindfulness, good sleep and therapy, your stress and fear levels can be managed and even removed completely.