Fears are stories we tell ourselves.

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Fears are stories we tell ourselves.

All of our emotions have a positive intention for us, our most basic emotions such as fear, anxiety or anger all send us crucial messages which have evolved for one primary purpose, self-preservation! It would be dangerous if when in a threatening situation if our conscious brain had to assess the situation and respond, so this is where our unconscious mind kicks in initiating our instinctive responses sending powerful signals to our body in the way of emotions and symptoms.

This is our flight or fight response, which is triggered when we feel a strong emotion like fear. Fear is closely related to anxiety and often these signals can be given at inappropriate times. You could liken it to a smoke alarm; a smoke alarm is designed to alert us to fire however an alarm can’t tell the difference between a real fire and burnt toast in the kitchen, but the signal is just the same!

Now fortunately in day to day life for most of us we don’t need to be fighting or running from danger but these same responses can be triggered by internalised fears such as giving presentations, job interviews or exams. This can provoke a range of emotions from worry to full scale panic attacks, the body is designed for survival and in response to the internal threat the body will respond by

  • Increasing blood supply to brain, muscles and to limbs (more O2).
  • Brain activity changes: we think less and react more instinctively.
  • Heart beats quicker and harder – coronary arteries dilate.
  • Blood pressure rises.
  • Lungs take in more O2 and release more CO2.
  • Liver releases extra sugar for energy.
  • Muscles tense for action.
  • Sweating increases to speed heat loss.
  • Adrenal glands release adrenalin to fuel response.

So from those internal worries the body can have very real and unpleasant physical responses.

Fear is not real, it is the product of the thoughts you create. Danger is real, but fear is a choice.

There are lots of amazing techniques that can help reduce anxiety but ultimately if we can change those internal threats, change that internal movie you keep playing, eliminate all those worries and negative dialogue we can reduce if not completely remove the anxiety response in the body.

Let’s face it worrying is just a waste of an imagination!