NEW ARTICLE by Dr. Katerina Athanasiou, Mindset Motivator & Therapist.

I am afraid. Truly afraid. I tremble at the thought that someone might invade my home and harm my loved ones. I fear the idea that my parents might fall ill and not make it through in a short time. With every sneeze, we shudder. With every cough, we look at each other as if we’re saying goodbye.

I fear for the impact this situation will have on young children who experienced unprecedented feelings of confinement and separation from beloved friends and relatives.

I fear for the people who have elderly loved ones by their side, who cannot understand what is happening and why they have to endure yet another hardship in their lives.

I tremble at the thought of what the economy of my country, of Europe, of the planet will be like tomorrow after this hiatus.

And for the first time in my life, I can’t sleep without a light on, as if the light will come to reveal a truth I am waiting for, to save us all…

And as we send thousands of funny videos and photos to exorcise our fear…

And as I speak to my patients, friends, and loved ones, coloring my voice with certainty, safety, and calmness…

I cannot hide that my fear grows stronger and fiercer at times, so much so that I feel if you touch me, I will explode into the air, like dust in the wind.

What a strange thing, fear!

It sprouts inside our heads and doesn’t go away, no matter how much you push it. If anything, it becomes more stubborn the more you try to push it away.

That’s how it is. The more you fear it, the bigger it gets. The more you want to get rid of it, the more it sits down and won’t budge. The more you think about it and study it, the more it enjoys and boasts. Yet, some cannot live without it. They constantly seek it, always.

For some, fear is stimulating. It gives them strength, drives them to fight the “invisible enemy” more intensely.

When do you feel fear? Observe yourself. Can you distinguish fear from sadness, anger, or sorrow?

What does your fear feel like? What does it make you think? What does it make you feel?

Stay there for a moment, still. Just for a second… What is it like to be afraid?

What does it remind you of from your past? How have you experienced a similar feeling in your past?

Brrr… You might be shivering now… wanting to get out of there.

You’re right. What a strange feeling fear is!

Some people shout loudly, angrily. Others run away. Some hide in their shells, while others attack with violence and force. Some have panic attacks, while others laugh constantly. Some look so cool, on the verge of insensitivity.

They are all facets of the same emotion. Fear.

So how do you overcome it?

Fear doesn’t reside out there, but within us. It usually has deep roots in the insecurities and early experiences we carry from childhood. At the first opportunity, fear reminds us that we are not invincible.

When you fear, realize that what you are afraid of is just a thought. A thought that you have in that moment that doesn’t necessarily reflect reality, but something that YOU perceive as truth.

Usually, it’s not about the here and now, but a prediction you make about the future, for example: “We will all catch the coronavirus! We will be locked inside for months! My loved ones will fall ill! This will happen…”

But what is the antidote to fear in this current coronavirus crisis?

The antidote to fear, my friends, in this situation, is participation with responsibility from where we can.

Solidarity and responsibility

The antidote is also humanity and solidarity. We don’t stop having relationships. However, their form changes. As has already happened over the years. We follow the rules, so we can continue protecting the most vulnerable.

We strengthen our local economy. Don’t buy things from the ends of the world online when you can find something similar in your neighborhood or just a bit farther. Especially in the coming period, this will be very important for the economy to keep moving.

Use positive language

Our amazing unconscious mind doesn’t understand the concept of the possibility of something bad happening “in case of…”. It perceives it as something happening right now, and it triggers our adrenaline. Be mindful of how you speak to those around you and to yourself.

For example, when we say, “there’s no danger,” your mind hears the word “danger” and triggers an internal alarm. Instead, use the phrase “I am safe when…”

“Staying at home is better” is more effective than “don’t go outside,” fortunately, the responsible communicators of the state understood this early on.

“We are protecting ourselves from germs and viruses,” instead of “we are at risk of pneumonia.”

“We remain calm and composed,” instead of “don’t panic!”

If we are sick, we wish for “improvement of our health tomorrow,” not “God, I hope I’m not a mess tomorrow!”

Our Faith

Activating our faith is a very powerful antidote to any fear. It involves activating an internal higher power of protection and hope. No matter what or who you believe in, pray! To God, your higher self, Buddha, the Universe, a higher power… It will give you courage, inner strength, peace, and hope. After all, this is the fundamental function of religion, in my opinion, and not the manipulation of the masses. But that’s a topic for another article.

Do what you love

Art is a creative way to exorcise fear. Whether you experience it from the observer’s side as a spectator, or learn to express it from the creator’s side. Both serve as a catharsis for humans! That’s why, in times of war, the arts flourished.

Maintain new healthy habits

Exercise, good nutrition, and proper hygiene. All the habits we’ve recently learned, and I hope they stay with us, are the antidotes for the greatest fear of all. At least as much as we can control it. Smoking, poor food, and lying down do not help our health, so it’s good to reduce them.

Optimistic thoughts

Lastly, let’s remain optimistic about what is to come. After all, humans have the advantage of adapting and evolving based on their environment, according to Darwin’s Theory. The economy, health, society, and ultimately, we ourselves, will adapt to the new realities faster than we think.

Fear is only conquered if you look it straight in the face, accept it, and make it sit next to you and tell you what it wants from you. If you embrace it, it may just do you the favor of leaving.

Sometimes, however, fear isn’t conquered. It’s just accustomed to and becomes bearable until it is forgotten. To uproot it, it requires digging, weeding, and a lot of inner work.

Each case is different. You can seek professional help if you feel you need to work on a specific fear of yours. If you are having panic attacks, you definitely need to seek help from a mental health professional.

Life ultimately conquers fear only through our actions. We move forward, even if we are afraid.

Stay healthy and strong!

With love,
Katerina Athanasiou