FEAR

Terror. Fright. Anxiety. Dread. These are the words acquainted with fear. We all, during some point in our life, do experience fear. When you are about to jump in the pool, the tiny voice in the back of your mind telling you to not jump, is fear. When you are switching off the lights in the room, the voice in your head pestering you to switch the light back on, is fear. When you are walking through the woods and the same voice that irritates you that there might you might meet with an accident or an attack, is fear. Some people may be afraid of ghosts, some might be of snakes, some of insects and some are afraid of many things. It is not abnormal. Today, we will be dealing with 2 questions unlike the previous blogs-

• Can fear be helpful?
• How do I overcome unnecessary fear? 

1) CAN FEAR BE HELPFUL?

I'll not answer this question directly. Rather, I will present 4 events before you, answer them truthfully-

1. Your teacher tells you that if you don't complete your homework, she'll make you write it a 100 times. FEAR = writing your homework 100 times. Can we define this FEAR as helpful ?
   
   
   
   
2. You want to cook something yourself, but you are afraid that you might cut your finger while chopping the vegetables or will burn your hand while dropping the food in the oil. Is the FEAR here helpful??{ I am like this too😝}
   
   
   
3. One of the most common FEARS, the FEAR of FUTURE(called Chronophobia). A FEAR that you might not achieve what you want to in your life or something else without it even taking place. Is this FEAR helpful???
   
   
   
4. And the most obvious FEAR in current situation  - the FEAR of catching the CORONAVIRUS. Because of this fear, you are taking extra precautions, making sure you don't go out too often and advising others about the same. Is this FEAR really helpful?
   
   
   

So, after reading these events, you will have an idea about what you will do in each of these situations. Let me answer them for you- 

1. Yes, fear is helpful here as that fear of the teacher making us write the same work a 100 times will force us to stay disciplined.
2.  No, fear is not helpful in this case. Why? Because this fear is holding you back from learning, from doing a new activity.
3. No again. You must have heard many people advising you "Don't worry about the future, live in the present, better, enjoy it." and guess what? They are correct. Dreading about something which didn't even take place yet is unwise, as if it even takes place in the future, you put yourself through the anxiety twice! Not such a great idea right?
4. Yes. In this situation, fear will help you. You are scared that you might be diagnosed with it, so you take the necessary precautions like putting on a mask, sanitising yourself and other objects, maintaining social-distancing, etc. 

But there is a catch where the answers to the questions were yes- in the first one, what if you were so scared by what your teacher said, that you don't attend the school the next day at all? 

In the fourth situation, what if you so scared that you don't even step out of the house even when necessary? Now you are confused- "2 out of 4 questions prove that fear may be helpful, but why are there catches even to that answer as well?"

Therefore, the answer to the question 'Can fear be helpful?' is- Yes, but only in the right dose, because, if you are scared of the woods and don't visit the forest at all, then you will miss a great journey in your life. Taking necessary precautions isn't incorrect, but giving it up altogether due to fear is. FEAR is one of the emotions in life which should be expressed (but not suppressed) just like the other human emotions.

2) HOW DO I OVERCOME UNNECESSARY FEAR?

FEAR has 2 meanings- Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. I have explained that fear can be useful, but what to do if it isn't? OVERCOME YOUR FEARS. You can't overcome your fears in a day, it will reduce day by day if you keep fighting it. But how do I fight it? Read on-

1) JUST BREATHE IT OUT.....

When you are too scared or worried about something; like when you are about to present a speech before the whole school, and the expecting eyes of the audience just aggravates the stage fear inside you, just breathe the fear out. Take a deep breath. Hold, 1..2..3... And release. Repeat it a few times. Meditation helps clear your mind and provides peace. 

2) DISTRACT YOURSELF

You can't think clearly when your mind is filled with anxiety. During such times, just take a small break and do something which will calm you down- like walking around, listening to some music, reading a book or practicing art. 

3) DON'T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR FEARS

The above 2 points were just to provide you temporary comfort. But you have to face your fears sooner or later. For example, if you are afraid of the dark, don't always sleep with a light on. Get used to the darkness and face your fear. The next night, prepare your mind to enter the dark room. That is the best way to reduce your fear.

4) SEEK HELP

Admit it, you can't do everything on your own. When some things are out of your hand, seek help form someone- may it be your mother, father, friend or even a therapist. Sharing things with others will lighten your load.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

                           - Nelson Mandela

Hindu tradition defines nine basic rasas: joy (hasya), fear (bhayanaka), anger (raudra), love (shringar), courage (vira), sadness (karuna), amazement (adbhuta), disgust (vibhatsya) and calmness (shanti). All people experience these emotions. If there is nothing abnormal in showing the other 8, why feel awkward to show your fear as well?  Try to overcome it, not just show it out.

Signing off, 

Jhanvi Pendyala