Conquer Fear - Three Easy Steps

Fear can be crippling for many people, especially when it's irrational; like the fear of crossing the street or cats. Certain fears are certainly advantageous to have, but when fear has you frozen against enjoying life, you need to do something about it. Here are three easy steps one can take to begin addressing irrational fears, though working with a psychologist/psychiatrist is always a strong option as well:

Physical Exercise — One of the best ways to get over a fear when it's happening is to take a long walk. Fear symptoms will often disappear, especially when the walk engages your natural body rhythms and gets you breathing and circulating. But if more high impact, competitive exercise does it for you, go for it. Just moving in any way is a great thing.

Understanding the Threat — Most of fear is in our head, as we have a baseless reaction to something which, on second thought, isn't so scary. Work on your own, or with someone else, on talking through what you fear, why, and when it happens.

Breathing Exercises — One thing fear does is get your heart racing and your lungs pounding. Simple breathing exercises can help. Sit down (or move) and regulate your breathing by counting or repeating a mantra. Fear symptoms will often abate as a result.

And in the end, remember. There is nothing to fear but fear itself!

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.