Fear is something that many people experience - whether it's the fear of what others think, the fear of not being good enough, the fear of failing at something or even a fear of what the future holds because you have negative thoughts about it.

It is possible for us to become so consumed or crippled by fear, and for it to be all-pervasive and effect every area of our lives. Our bodies and health can be effected without even realising what is causing us to feel exhausted or ill. Allowing fear to take the lead can make areas of concern even bigger than they should be, limiting our full potential and setting us into unhelpful patterns of behaviour or avoidance.

It is natural to feel fear, in fact it is vital in some areas where we might be a bit reckless, but it can easily ‘overstep its place’ and affect our ability to think clearly, act effectively, and act with awareness.

If we can be responsive to fear instead of reactionary, fear will loose its hold on us, we become aware, calmer, and stronger.

In order to cope with fear, we don't need to run away from it or keep trying to avoid it; we can learn to view fear with awareness and compassion, and ultimately step back and appreciate how it works without being consumed by it.

Fear can also be seen from a different viewpoint. The sensations of fear are real and physically affecting in our body, and the thoughts we have at the same time can appear so real. While we can exhibit the results of feeling fear, fear itself doesn’t actually have much power in our lives unless we take those steps to react to it.

In your day-to-day life, whenever you feel worried, anxious or stressed about a situation, consider trying the following method:

Pause what you are doing, breathe in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. Acknowledge that fear is starting to come into your situation. That way, you can accept that fear is doing what it should do, and allows you to mindfully detach from it and go into observer mode. By noticing it and seeing it for what it is, you can remove its sting.
Be kind to yourself. Compassion is key here - instead of reacting to fear in a knee-jerk way, considering it to be bad and to be avoided, treat yourself as you would someone else you love. Love is more powerful here. Regulate your breathing and perhaps rest your hand on where you feel the stress and fear most in your body as you keep breathing slowly and evenly.
Don’t forget that fear is powerless unless you hand it over. Fear has no power if you don’t choose to do what it tells you.

In the end, it's not about eradicating fear; it is knowing we can overcome it by reconnecting with what matters to us and taking action in accordance with our life values.

Stop overthinking. Let go a little and use your emotional and mental energy on being present in the here and now, focusing on the people who love you and the things that are around you in this present moment.