Fear

 

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may be fearless.” ~ Marie Curie

Reading a scientific research paper on the physiology of fear and its impact on wellness had me thinking about how much this emotion can shift life in myriad ways. It is over a year since the world went into fight mode against an invisible enemy who is despite its facelessness, wrecking very visible havoc on lives and livelihoods.

Our general adaptation to fear begins with alarm. Cortisol and adrenaline hormones are released to get us ready to either fight or flee. After a while, we get into a state of resistance where we are still alert but not as strung up. Longer yet and we enter into an exhaustion state where the body’s ability to resist is worn out and burnout and adrenal fatigue kick in. A year in and no end in sight to the debacle, it is no wonder some of us are burnt out. And this is where danger lurks.

According to the study, chronic fear can cause headaches to turn into migraines, muscle aches to fibromyalgia, body aches to chronic pain, and difficulty breathing to asthma. In short, minor physical issues can escalate into major dysfunctions. Other potential effects of fear on overall health include immune system dysfunction, sleep disorders, eating disorders, mood swings, bitterness and confusion. Looking at the news these days, we are seeing a lot of societal confusion that may just be a symptom of collective fear. So which way forward?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.” ~ Sun Tzu

That quote there spells WORK. Who is my enemy? What are his strategies, strengths and weaknesses? When and who does he strike the hardest and does he avoid some? In light of the above, who am I – a good target for him or a formidable enemy? Can I withstand the strengths of my enemy or do I have work to do to become half the person the enemy hates? What do I need to do to build my defences and keep away my enemy? How much time do I have to get ready? Such are the questions that Sun Tzu explores in The Art of War.

In Luke 14:28, Jesus asks “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” I do not look at this advice only in terms of planning for things I want to do. Sometimes an enemy comes at us without giving us time to plan. We may have a window to hide but if the enemy does not leave in that time, then we have to strategise on how to face him. We cannot afford to be idle in our hiding time. And this is where we are in our world today. Physical illness, financial trouble, mental health issues, emotional instability . . . the list is endless. We are not all facing all the issues at the same time, but each of us is facing something at some time. Have you stopped to count the cost of the battle you are fighting? Have you stopped to take stock and determine where you are short? Are you planning and executing strategy in the meantime?

“So then learn to conquer your fear. This is the only art we have to master nowadays: to look at things without fear, and to fearlessly do right.” ~ Friedrich Durrenmatt

What is that right thing you need to do for your health, your wealth, your connections, your spirituality? What have you known is right to do but have yet to get yourself to translate knowledge into action?

“Find out what you’re afraid of and go live there.” ~ Chuck Plahniuk

Anxiety, anger, depression all make you more susceptible to physical illness. Before fear injects you with paralysis, find a small step to take and take it. Then find another and another and in time, you will become the formidable opponent that fear will run away from instead of an easy victim.

"New goals don't deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome. For this reason, your energy should go into building better habits, not chasing better results." ~ James Clear, Atomic Habits

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” ~ Frank Herbert, Dune

“Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.”
~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

 

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