Talking through your concerns can be a great way to vent and release pent-up tension. Just “getting the problem out” can help you feel better. Not only does it feel great, but it can also give you new insights into what’s happening in your life.
If you’ve been keeping a situation to yourself, it may seem more overwhelming than it actually is. The person you talk with might help you see the situation in a new or different perspective, and will be more neutral about what’s going on if the outcome won’t affect them personally.
Talking about your feelings can help you make sense of them. Sometimes, just verbalising what is upsetting you to someone you trust can help you sort through your feelings, or make the situation clearer.
Talking to someone about how you’re feeling can help you sort through your feelings, put things in perspective, and release tension. The person you speak with might also suggest options that you had not thought about before.
Everyone goes through tough times, and no matter how long you’ve had something on your mind – whether for just a few hours or months – it’s important that you talk to someone about it. You don’t have to confront your setbacks alone.
The same things we fear also incite feelings of exhilaration and even passion. That’s why people enjoy extreme sports, horror movies, and swimming with sharks on holiday. Try to re-frame your fear in a positive light, and acknowledge the thrill it can offer.
When your body experiences fear, lots of triggers ready your body for a “fight-or-flight” action response. Learn to override this response by counteracting with relaxation techniques. Relaxation tells your body that there is no danger and that you are safe.
Running from fears never improves the way you feel about a fear. Next time you experience a fear, verbally engage the fear, using words that describe your fear and anxiety.
The power to label your emotions is beneficial for self-understanding and emotional intelligence. Engaging with a fear and verbalising your fear has incredible power to help you overcome fears and regulate emotions.
“Exposing yourself to your fear” means doing small steps until you feel no fear. If you’re afraid of dogs, start by looking at a badly drawn doodle of a dog until you feel no fear response. Then, look at a photo of a dog, then a video of a dog and so on, until no fear response exists at each stage.