CONQUER MOVEOVER FEAR

It is no secret that living with fear or anxiety is bad for your health. Fear can cause insomnia, high blood pressure, anxiety, and even weaken your immune system. However, did you know that your fear could also be giving you those premature gray hairs, creating wrinkles on your face, and making those stubborn love handles a little more stubborn? Often, habits that arise from fear or anxiety — such as nail biting, poor diet, or smoking — add to the physical imperfections that are the source of poor selfesteem, which can, in turn, add to the fear and so on.

Since fear is not just a condition of the mind but of the body as well, taking physical and mental steps to eliminate it can help those suffering from irrational fears. Here are a few practical tips that can benefit sufferers of post-partum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and various phobias. Even if you don’t have a clinical explanation for your inexplicable fear, these tips may help you keep your fear at a reasonable level.

Quit Bad Habits

Nail biting can cause dental problems and ugly fingernails. Obsessive face touching can lead to increased acne. Even bad posture can generate back problems while good posture can aid in losing weight. Many people find that at least part of their fear or anxiety — particularly the fear of rejection — is linked with their poor self-esteem. When you find that you have the power to quit a bad habit, you may begin to feel more adequate or in control, and your physical appearance, as well as your self-esteem, will probably improve as well.

Exercise

We have all heard it a million times, and we will hear it a million times more: Exercise, exercise, exercise. It seems to be the answer for everything and is, indeed, part of the answer for most things. Exercise helps you lose weight and releases endorphins in your brain that naturally improve your mood. Establishing a regular exercise routine can give you more control of your day. Try to schedule your exercise right before a stressful time, since stress often exacerbates even the mildest anxiety. If the hectic mornings tend to stress you out, wake up 30 minutes early for a quick run around the block. If you have trouble sleeping at night, do your workout an hour or so before bed, but be sure to give yourself time to unwind afterward.

Do Something You Love

Once upon a time, you took at least a few hours a week to go fishing. Now it seems that fishing has lost its fun, and you spend your spare time worrying. Whether you quit your old hobbies because they seem dull, dangerous, or simply outdated, it is likely your fear that is really keeping you from them now. Even if the idea of oncefavorite tasks like gardening or writing now seem like a chore, make yourself do it a few times. Many studies suggest that activities like painting or yoga can also release the same feel-good endorphins produced by exercise. You may find that you enjoy yourself once you get back into an old hobby, and you won’t have time to dwell on your fears or anxieties if you are enjoying yourself.

Avoid Scary Books Or Movies

There are many Stephen King and M. Night Shyamalan fans who love the thrill of a scary movie or book, even as they live every day in fear. In fact, you may find that you prefer the spine-tingling fear of ghosts and monsters to the more realistic fears that inhabit your thoughts otherwise. However, replacing your fears with different ones is about as healthy as switching your brand of cigarette; any type of fear is still fear and can still have negative effects on your health. If you can’t quit cold turkey, try a psychological suspense film, an old-fashioned murder mystery, or even a horror spoof. Watching movies and reading books that make you think or laugh can set your mind on a positive track.

Put Your Thoughts In Perspective

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Most experts suggest taking 10 or 20 minutes out of your day to address your fears on a rational level before dismissing them for the rest of the day. Consider what you are afraid of and why your fears are implausible or unlikely. If you are afraid to walk in the woods, learn how to recognize poisonous plants and protect yourself from dangers such as snakes or bears. If you fear what you cannot control, such as a tornado or being laid off from your job, decide what you would do in case a particular situation should arise and be prepared in advance if the situation seems possible. If your fear is less tangible, such as the fear of losing your healthy child, allow yourself to feel the loss and sorrow for five minutes. Then focus instead on what you love about your child and make it a priority to enjoy all the time you have together, whether it is two days or 50 years.