Creating Fear

Most of what we are afraid of hasn't happened yet or isn't happening to us in this moment. Let's take COVID-19 for example. Most of us are hearing about the scary stuff from the comfort of our homes, where we likely have food and supplies. 

It's the "what if" that is causing the fear...

But, the truth is for most of us that "what if" isn't happening to us right now.

We are feeling stress from events that may or may not happen to us. 

Our brains are wired to worry and be on alert for danger. It's a survival mechanism. But, we don't have to throw up our hands and roll over, we can choose to have different thoughts. 

When you find yourself in a fear spiral, take a deep breath or three. Then when you feel your blood pressure starting to come down take stock of what's happening right in front of you. Not what's on the news, not what your sister's friend said on Facebook. What is happening right here, right now.

Stay out of the "what if" and stay in the present. That is being mindful.

I don't know who said it, but I love the quote that you cannot be both mindful and worried at the same time.