- Fear is your brain’s way of keeping you safe
Our bodies automatically respond to threat or danger with the fight, flight or freeze response to keep us safe.
One way to end the fight / flight / freeze response is to take deep breaths with long exhales several times. This sends a signal to your brain that you’re safe.
2. There are 5 basic fears that all humans share
The 5 fears are:
- Fear of Extinction (death, ceasing to exist)
- Fear of Mutilation (pain, losing a part of our body)
- Fear of Loss of Autonomy (being restricted, confined, trapped suffocated or immobilised in action / thought)
- Separation (abandonment, rejection)
- Ego Death (shame, humiliation)
Source: Dr Karl Albrecht
3. Many of our fears are not as relevant today
For example, one of our biggest fears, the fear of rejection is primal. In early humans, being a part of a tribe was the only way to stay away from danger, reproduce and survive. This evolutionarily wired us to seek acceptance from those around us.
Today, being rejected or humiliated won’t kill you. Practice feeling the fear and doing things anyway.
4. Fear kills your immune system
Studies have shown that chronic stress has a significant negative impact on the immune system and can ultimately cause disease or illness.
Cultivating a positive mindset, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and connecting with friends & family helps manage stress and maintains immunity.
5. Facing our fears build courage
“Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is feeling the fear, the doubt, the insecurity, and deciding that something else is more important.” – Mark Manson
Reframe ‘fear’ as the state your body gets into when it’s doing something new. Because that’s mostly all it is.
