On becoming fearless: With

‘By fixating on what might go wrong, we’re feeding an old mechanism that is almost outdated in our current lives’

On becoming fearless

Words and illustration by Bethan Christopher

It’s that gut-churning wrench each time you think of an upcoming job. It’s the fizzling feels, as you remember that vital document you need to write. It’s waking up in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep and having an existential meltdown whilst simultaneously wracking your brain for a solution to reduce your kids’ screen time. It’s like an Ian Beale-style worrywart that lurks around your shoulders, whispering worst case scenarios.

Anxiety. We’ve all been there. Some more than others. Anxiety is a feeling of fear or unease, sometimes mild and sometimes severe. It’s often accompanied by a Hollywoodstyle stream of inner movies depicting stuff that could go wrong; from getting criticised, to being “found out”, to failing, falling on your face, injury or even death. Once anxiety is triggered, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode: increasing heart rate, shifting breathing patterns and preparing you to either have a scrap or leg it. We all know that worrying is stressful and stress chemicals aren’t good for us. So, at a time when fear seems to be the theme of the year, here are four tips to turn worry on its head and pop the anxiety bubble.

1. Don’t be afraid to talk

Even if living life in a world of technological mayhem, overload of information and self-esteem-bashing marketing tactics hasn’t tinkered with your anxiety levels, inhabiting Earth during our current dystopian drama probably has. And that’s okay. Studies show that the average adult in the UK has seen their anxiety levels rise by 50% since the pandemic took hold, with fears around money, job security, economy and health turning up the pressure cooker. Instead of pushing away your fears and acting like Simon Cowell strutting his stuff in a Braveheart costume, get comfortable with talking about your fears. If you don’t want to talk to anyone about how you’re feeling, try journaling, naming – and therefore taming – your emotions. If you don’t want to write, draw them.

2. Focus on the now

When we are feeling sad it’s generally because we are looking back at the past. When we feel anxious, it tends to be when we are looking into the future. Should you be in a fear spiral, pause everything and focus on the present moment. Begin by becoming aware of the sounds, smells, textures, light and visual appearance of the room around you. Tune in to how your clothes feel on your skin, the temperature of your hands and the feeling of your feet on the ground or the chair you’re sitting on. Next ask yourself “in this moment, right now, is everything okay? Am I safe?”

Generally, the answer to this will be “yes”. The more you focus in on the moment and can recognise that there is no threat right now, the more your body will relax and feelings anxiety will lessen. Practice being in the moment as much as you can.

3. Release your grip

The word worry comes from the Old English “wyrgan”, which means “to strangle.” When our thoughts obsess over what could go wrong and what might happen to us, we are literally strangling the flow and dynamism of our lives. Granted, back in the days when we were sleeping in caves and making playsuits out of unsuspecting beavers, anxiety was a helpful ally. Our ancestors would have been highly vigilant, alert to every noise or unexpected movement. But today - pandemics aside - we do not tend to face daily threats to our physical survival. What we do face, however, are fears around failure, criticism, being rejected and not being good enough. By fixating on what might go wrong, we’re feeding an old mechanism that is almost outdated in our current lives. Reassure that part of yourself that you’re not likely to die at your new job interview and that life will go on, even if your vital document doesn’t come out perfectly.

4. Make a fear list

Every New Year people focus on making resolutions, but for many of us it’s our fears that stop us building a life that we love. Take a moment to think about something that you’ve always wanted to do, but fear has held you back.

Now, rather than trying to achieve the goal itself, attempt to overcome the fears that are stopping you from moving forward. It is said that out of our greatest fear comes our greatest growth. By challenging yourself to face your fears, you will become stronger and more resilient. What better way to take on 2021?

Take back control of your body with a Mummy MOT®

With Chloe Dove HCPC REGISTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST + PREGNANCY AND POSTNATAL SPECIALIST

Though I started my career in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic physiotherapy, the birth of my two young daughters prompted a special interest in pelvic health physiotherapy, supporting women through their childbearing years to menopause. Our body goes through so many changes during pregnancy and birth, and I’m constantly amazed by the resilience of the female body. But growing and birthing small humans is not without its difficulties: one in five women will experience pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, and some may have traumatic births leading to perineal injury, c-section recovery, incontinence and other pelvic healthrelated conditions. I’m so passionate about helping to reduce the stigma and fear around these common issues, and increase the awareness of pelvic health physiotherapy in our postnatal recovery. I have completed training in internal After more than twenty years teaching yoga classes, facilitating retreats, and mentoring local teachers on the Island, now feels like the right time to launch the Island School of Yoga – a yoga school by the sea offering programmes for healing, growth and freedom. The Isle of Wight has many healing and restorative energies, and it’s the perfect place from which to teach holistic and evidence-based practices for personal growth. Through compassionate coaching and gentle mentoring, our tutors and associates – all of whom are leading lights in their fields, from yoga, meditation, pranayama, soul work, nutritional therapy, clinical psychology and plant and external pelvic floor assessment, a specialist course in the assessment and management of Diastasis Rectus Abdominus and I am also a qualified Mummy MOT® practitioner. I treat women both during pregnancy and postnatally (from six weeks) to support recovery of the pelvic floor and core muscles in support of a safe return to exercise and sport, as I’m a passionate believer in empowering women to return to activities they love as well as improving awareness of their body. My private clinic space in Gurnard is used to assess and treat both acute and chronic sports injuries, pre and post orthopaedic surgery, pregnancy pelvic girdle pain, pelvic floor dysfunction – including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic or back pain – menopausal symptoms and to carry out a Mummy MOT® assessment from six weeks post-natal. medicine – guide participants through a profound journey to an easier, healthier, happier and more abundant future. With a collaborative approach, we have created an exciting 300-hour Yoga Teacher Programme, in addition to other professional development courses: from SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Yoga Teacher Training and The Mindful Athlete. Alongside this, the Island School of Yoga also offers programmes for wellbeing development; specialist courses for navigating menopause with clarity; to the Get Your Life Back course to lovingly identify, accept and change unhelpful behaviour. As a mum myself, I understand how hard it can be to dedicate time to ourselves. The Mummy MOT® is an opportunity to take control of your body (whether you had your children two months or twenty years ago) and

Chloedovephysio.co.uk Instagram: @chloedovephysio

Introducing the Island School of Yoga

allow yourself to feel like you again.

With Emma Spencer-Goodier

For more information about professional and personal yoga training in the art of living, visit: www.islandschoolofyoga.com Instagram: @island_school_of_yoga