Overcoming Fear During Times of Trouble

Pamela A. Martin |
Categories
Finance
Lifestyle

Pamela A. Martin, AIF®
Financial Advisor

August 5, 2020

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In speaking with clients during this time of COVID-19, I have found that there are many viewpoints to be heard. One common theme I hear among people, regardless of their views on the pandemic, mask-wearing, and political policies, is fear.  Unfortunately, this is not the first time our country has experienced widespread fear.  Over our country’s history, there have been many times of trouble, including war, disease, drought, economic depression, fires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and hurricanes, just to name a few.

While fear is a natural occurrence during times of uncertainty, we have the ability to overcome it.  Fear needs to be overcome for mental and physical well-being.  Living in fear places our thoughts in constant turmoil, decreasing the ability to concentrate and make wise decisions. Physically, the cortisol our body produces when experiencing fear depresses our immune system allowing for a greater chance of illness, especially over long periods of time.

Here are some tips for overcoming fear:

  • Write down times in your life that you had troubles and made it through them
  • Limit exposure to the cause of your fear
    • Reduce the watching of news broadcasts to one a day
    • Reduce Social Media use
  • Exercise
    • Take a walk
    • Ride a bike
  • If you believe in God, pray – Ask God for protection and to alleviate your fear
  • Meditate
  • Seek support from friends and family
  • Trust that this too will end
  • Write down things you are grateful for and review the list often
  • Read uplifting and encouraging stories and passages
    • For example, there are 365 verses in the Bible that tell us not to fear - one for every day of the year
    • Chicken Soup stories are always uplifting
  • Limit exposure to negative people
  • Get outside
    • Sit on the porch
    • Walk around the yard
    • Listen to the birds
  • Smile – It does the heart good

In all of this, remember, we will get through this a lot better by lifting each other up and helping each other out. Here’s a smile for you!

Unless otherwise expressly indicated, the opinions or views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect, and may differ from, the opinions or views of StrategIQ Financial Group, LLC or others within StrategIQ Financial Group, LLC, including its officers, managers, owners, employees or other service providers.