How To Stop Fear In 16 Seconds

Monday 26th February

Hello 👋

There’s that one thing that stops us. When things are going well, we’re not even aware of it.

We’re in that flow state, and we’re feeling good. And, we can’t even comprehend anything else.

So… when the fear does strike…. what can you do, to stop yourself spiralling?

Let me show you.

The Shift

It's all about creating a sudden shift in your physical or mental state that jolts you out of that unhelpful headspace.

Think of it as a reset button to nudge your brain and body into a different mode.

Your body simply runs on routines. Whether it’s your heart beating, your body triggering you to be hungry, or your body telling you when to sleep.

Don’t you find it odd…

…that once you get an ‘anxiety’ or ‘paranoia’ about something, it gets easier to keep doing it?

To keep focussing on it?

To keep panicking about it…?

That’s because you’ve built a routine. Your body, and your mind, whether you like it or not, is practising. Everything. All the time.

With the sole purpose of training itself to do it better and better.

So when it’s no longer a useful habit, how do I stop?

In there moment there is only one thing you can do. In the long run. It’s rebuilding thought patterns.

But it that bad place, and you want to feel a shift in only 16 seconds. Do any of these. Here’s some ideas for you:

1. Shake It Off: Literally, shake your body. Stand up, shake out your limbs, jump around.

2. Sing or Hum: Break into a song or just hum a tune. It also triggers the parasympathetic nerve.

3. Deep Breaths: Inhale deeply, hold for a moment, and exhale slowly. Repeat a few times.

4. Change Your Scenery: Move to a different room, step outside, or just reorient yourself in your current space, if you can. A new view tricks the brain.

5. Engage in a Quick Task: Do something that requires your focus but can be completed quickly – like solving a puzzle, sketching, or organizing a drawer.

6. Affirmations: Repeat a positive, empowering statement. It can shift your mental narrative from negative to positive.

‘I am safe. I am well. I am OK’ → Feel free to use this one, whenever you need it.

We all feel anxiety and we can all get stuck on it. Remember the feeling of it, is just a body-based habit, being driven by thoughts.

In the long run, the thoughts need to be worked on.

But in the moment, shake it up, and shake it off.

Don’t believe me, try it.

Stay curious,

C