Contributed by Nicholine Akou
Fear is an emotional and unpleasant syndrome caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. To be afraid is human, conquering fear is spirited. Therefore it is important for us to be able to overcome our dreads. Kartherine Paterson says “To fear is one thing, to let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another” which implies that there is the necessity for us to control our minds to overcome it. The following tips will help us overcome fear.
Breathing: It involves the process of moving air into and out of the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment. This is an important factor to overcome fear. When we are afraid, it is advisable to take an even number and an odd number breathing speed. For example; you breathe in six times and breathe out nine times. Doing as such, you chase your negative thoughts away. Some students find it difficult to do presentations in front of other mates as well as applicants on first time interviews because of fear and nervousness. The solution to this is to regulate your breathing speed.
Thoughts: The outcome of every situation is in relation to our thoughts. So always imagine that your task is within your reach. There is no need to panic, take it gradually each time you are faced with a challenge and be courageous in performing the task. Also, make sure you are ready to accept failures or predicaments as part of your life so that it will be easy for you to defeat fear and nervousness. For example, a beautiful girl diagnosed of HIV and AIDS committed suicide just for fear of living with the disease forgetting that there are hundreds living with the same sickness. Therefore it is preferable for us to keep our thoughts and imagination positive in order to save ourselves from fear and nerves.
Preparation in advanced: This entails practicing what you are supposed to do before the actual date. Some people are afraid to speak in public and when they are presented to such a task, it becomes a nightmare for them. So it is advisable to meditate and keep practicing on your presentation, engage in voluntary services which warrant talking, attend seminars and always make sure to ask questions and stretch in contributions. With this, you will become familiar in speaking in public and you will equally overcome phobia.
Relaxation: According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary, relaxation is a situation by which the body and mind are free from tension and anxiety. It is thus wise to relax when given a task. This is because fear can lead you to serious depression. Therefore always try to relax before any situation.
Edited by Emiliene Alemkeng