Moving Out of Hyper Fear and Worry: Into a New World of Calm

No one is completely immune to fear or worry. It is a common human condition that has historically provided us with safety, but can become a hindrance to our health when it persists as a chronic state of mind.

Despite my specialisation in wellbeing, I am not exempt from feelings of anxiety, fear, overwhelm, or stress. And everyone deals with stress in their own unique way, often depending on their beliefs, upbringing, and experiences. However, if certain stressful situations push you into a heightened state of fear and worry, as they can do to me, there are tools and techniques available to support you and bring you back to equilibrium during these challenging times.

The amazing thing is that by practising them when we find ourselves in a hyper fearful state, we can eventually create new pathways that allow us to navigate life with greater ease. Science consistently proves this, showing that while we cannot change existing pathways in our brains, we can create new ones that gradually override old fearful pathways with new peaceful ones.

Yes, it requires a lot of practice and change, but it is definitely worth it!

So today, I wanted to share a recent experience where I spent three days in the hospital with my unwell three-year-old, who was suspected of having Kawasaki disease (fortunately, he has since fully recovered and is doing extremely well).

During this time, my nervous system went into overdrive, my anxiety skyrocketed, and I could feel fear and worry coursing through every cell in my body. I found myself running to the toilet every time I spoke with a doctor—my gut was feeling the intensity, and I couldn't eat a thing. All I wanted was for these intense and debilitating feelings to come to an end. While I tried to put on a brave face, inside I felt like a complete wreck.

Fortunately, I was able to quickly recognise what was happening and what steps I needed to take to navigate through this state. It took me about a day to completely calm my nervous system and make a positive shift. I utilised techniques that I regularly practice to help me feel safe, at ease, and in an overall calm state. Some of these techniques included breathwork, meditation, visualisations, affirmations, and tapping. I also found solace in listening to soothing music and taking Bach flower essences.

??Moving from fear to gratitude is where you will find more peace in any difficult situation

When we are in a state of fear, it is hard to focus on what we are grateful for because we are too busy fearing what could go wrong. However, we can overcome this by starting to appreciate everything, both small and big. It feels good for the body and soul, trust me!

Name out loud everything or write it on a list, and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Instead of thinking about what could go wrong, choose to think about what could go right. Be optimistic.

My son and I talked about what we were going to cook when we got out of the hospital, and all the fun things we were going to do, with the trust and faith that everything would be well and that we could handle whatever the situation brings.

I had to get into this grateful mode; otherwise, my thoughts would have kept running wild, keeping me locked in fear. I appreciated everything I possibly could, from my breath and the love my son and I shared, to the support from my partner and sisters, and so much more. Moving to this space supports you immensely.

I only wish I knew how to do this when I had an emergency C-section all those years ago, as my fear levels escalated then too!

This technique takes practice and commitment because many of us are programmed to be in a state of fear. But with regular practice, you can create new pathways that free you and enhance your overall wellbeing.

??Intense self-care in the moment is key

It was a priority for me to focus on bringing calm and peace to myself because I knew I could support my son better when my glass was full. Additionally, I could make better decisions for his care without being overloaded with fear.

I noticed that my son felt the shift in my energy, as I saw his own energy uplift once mine did. This always gives me even more motivation to do the work more deeply because our energy is contagious, especially to our children. Once my energy shifted, my son started to improve rapidly, and after a few days, we were able to take him home.

???Self-care after a traumatising experience is still needed

After the experience was over and we had returned home, I felt the impact. I cried for days; talking about what had happened made me break down. Additionally, my period came early. My body, mind, and spirit had been distressed, and I knew I had to take extra care of myself.

This meant disconnecting from the outside world and focusing on my well-being, getting plenty of sleep, and consuming nourishing foods. Particularly, my gut had suffered from the ordeal.

This part is crucial: even if you feel that the worst is behind you and simply want to return to normalcy, it is essential to take your time, care for yourself, and process your emotions. This process allows for growth, evolution, and healing as it sheds light on our fears and beliefs. Understanding ourselves in this way is a profound means of personal development.

So ultimately we have the power to change the way we are feeling or handling what life throws us, however difficult it may feel its possible. Yes, it takes time and practise, but once you decide to make the change and realise that you are no longer willing to be frozen in the mode of fear, you will be able to start taking steps to move into a calmer space and deal with whatever life throws at you.

To conclude, we all possess the inherent ability to transform our emotional responses and reactions to challenging situations, regardless of their level of difficulty. This process involves dedicating time and effort to shift our automatic fear-based patterns to ones rooted in faith.

By making a conscious decision to embrace this change and actively working through our heightened state of fear, we refuse to remain stagnant and are empowered to progress. This shift towards faith enables us to take meaningful steps towards a calmer mindset, allowing us to confidently navigate life's obstacles in a healthier way.

?? Have you ever experienced such high levels of stress, overwhelm, or anxiety, or found yourself having a similar response in your nervous system? How do you prioritise self-care and restore yourself during these challenging times? When you are focused on taking care of others, how do you ensure that you also take care of yourself?

??Are you struggling to cope with stress, anxiety, or overwhelm in healthy ways and in need of extra support? Are you curious about the techniques I advocate and how they can nourish and assist you? Please feel free to get in touch for a confidential chat. https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/claudiahalabi/

??If you would like to bring more awareness around this topic to the workplace, please get in touch.

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