These myths about fear might be holding you back

The threat of pain, danger, or harm poses an unpleasant emotion. It can be defined as “an emotion that accompanies the awareness of danger or a threat – An etiological phenomenon that is linked to our survival instinct based on the cautious mentality it creates.” But it everything we believe to know about fear true? 

The origin of fear

Fear causes physiological reactions in our body like many other emotions like happiness, sadness, surprise, disgust, and anger. The part of the brain called the amygdala is where the phenomenon starts. Fear’s physiological impacts on the body enable us to react to a dangerous circumstance in the most effective way possible.

We experience fear in three stages; freeze, run, fight. Fear has a very practical purpose in human existence by enabling people to flee perilous circumstances. But the brain might overreact to stimuli that are not actually hazardous, and the fear response is not always accurate in assessing a threat.

Here are some myths about fear that might be holding people back from doing things they otherwise could be drawn to:

Fear is a weakness

Everyone experiences fear no matter the status of a person. So don’t take it personal. Experts believe it is a natural and necessary vital tool for survival. Although it can sometimes be irrational and inconvenient, it is a necessity.

Again, people experience different levels of fears especially those with specific phobias.

For instance, if a person is a victim of conflict or war and is threatened by the sound of random gunshots in a peaceful neighbourhood, feelings of fear or panic are justified. The person’s survival instincts come to play. Fear helps with self-preservation or learning from negative experiences

There is a method of preparation that allows to totally eradicate fear

The cycle of fear is endless. New experiences bring new bolts of fears in our lives. No matter how prepared you are, fear steps in especially when entering a new terrain.  An athlete becomes afraid as a first-timer at the Olympics but eventually gets used to the crowd after multiple appearances.

That same athlete feels fear again when preparing to participate in a skydiving activity. This is another level of fear unlocked. The individual will need to build confidence again to succeed.

The secret is to be able to know when fear is unnecessarily stopping us from moving forward and conquer it.

Those who are successful don’t fear

You have some complexes that prevent you from believing that you can overcome them, making you hold the view that successful people are fearless. Well, those who have survived have learned to identify fear as a necessary survival mechanism. Perhaps that’s what makes them ‘fearless’.

Such people, who are typically goal-oriented, have little choice but to move forward in the face of derailers. Actually, their main concerns are survival and growth. You can take a cue from that.

There is a cure for fear

Fear is a natural component of being human, but it lessens the more we face certain situations that make us cringe. As long as we keep breathing, fear grows with us. It can be controlled but not entirely cured. For instance, mastering relaxation techniques might assist you in overcoming your bodily and emotional fear.

Health experts recommend therapies or exercise such as massage, t’ai chi, yoga, mindfulness techniques, or meditation.

Avoid fear and live in comfort

You will experience fear and discomfort when you make the move to step out of your comfort zone. Fear has that tendency of manipulating us into becoming victims and prevents us from living our lives to the fullest. It prevents us from achieving satisfaction, love, happiness, security, success, and purpose and forces us into an endless, repeated cycle of reflection and procrastination.

But then, overcoming fear propels an individual into personal growth and success.