Did you know that inside your brain you have what is called an amygdala, which is the fear center of the brain. When animals are in fear, they fight, flee or freeze (interestingly enough some can actually change colors instantaneously). When a human is in “crisis” real or imagined — they have a choice to get angry, gripe and complain; run away and soothe themselves with something that may not be constructive (alcohol, etc.); stop, freeze and stick their “head in the sand” (inertia); or move into healthy options and solutions.
The number one piece of advice is to stop stimulating the fear center of the brain. If looking at the news, checking your stock portfolio, reading the newspaper, talking with your doomsayer relative stimulates your fear. STOP it! Does that mean that you completely withdraw from society? No, just check the news once every other day and scan the headlines. I promise you that if something really “bad” happens, someone will let you know. Every time you stimulate your fear center, you have to soothe it in some way to get moving again. How exhausting is that?
As long as you are in fear, your creativity will cloud all the solutions and options available to you.
Please let me know what you are doing to stay optimistic in these interesting times. In reality we are going through a cycle. I am confident that we will come out on the other side in a much better place, maybe a little skinnier (possibly choosing to forego our second coffee latte’). We all have a choice right now. What choice are you making?
Connie Kadansky, Professional Certified Coach