It's Okay to be Afraid

Fear is an underlying current in the human condition. Unfortunately, it sometimes turns into a raging river.

Right now there’s a lot of fear over the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is changing by the minute, and we’ve been warned it will get worse before it gets better.

Some people are outwardly expressing their fear while others are suppressing or denying it.

Spend a minute on Facebook or Twitter and you’ll see a range of comments. When I come across a post that sounds angry, callous, or heartless, I suspect suppressed fear is behind it.

When I come across a post that sounds angry, callous, or heartless, I suspect suppressed fear is behind it.

I’ve seen people call the virus Darwin’s answer to old and sick people. Ouch.

I’ve seen people hoarding supplies and doing senseless things like spraying their children with Lysol. Don’t do that.

Do this instead to break the grip of fear.

Acknowledge you feel fear. It’s okay to be afraid. You don’t have to resist fear, and at the same time, you don’t have to be ruled by it. Acknowledging fear takes the sting out of it. Resisting or denying fear makes it lurk by your side constantly.

Acknowledging fear takes the sting out of it. Resisting or denying fear makes it lurk by your side constantly.

Fear of illness is hard coded into your DNA for survival.

So while it’s normal to feel afraid in the face of sickness, you don’t have to be ruled by it. Fear and level headedness can exist side by side.

Fear and level headedness can exist side by side.

Be informed by scientists and medical doctors, not by memes, gossip, your loudmouth neighbor, or misleading messages that have been coming from both the media and the White House.

Data, not emotion, have the answers you need.

Get updates once or twice a day but don’t submerge yourself in the coverage.

Remind yourself often of all the things that are going right right now.

When you feel a wave of fear coming recognize it for what it is. Then take a walk, do deep breathing exercises, pray, meditate, or do something that makes you laugh.

Help yourself feel empowered by doing healthy things that will strengthen your immune system:

The Science Behind Improving Your Immune System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lastly, love and accept yourself just as you are, fear and all. The fearful part is like a small child that needs to be heard and reassured. Embrace it. Recognize the part is afraid, and let it exist next to your level headedness.

All images open source from Pixabay.com