Dear Friends,
In today’s world, we’re being bombarded with fear from all sides. I get it. We’re living under the dark cloud of a pandemic which has killed nearly 1 million people world-wide. This is a scary reality, one we have to live with.
But do we have to live in fear?
Don’t get me wrong, I believe that we must take COVID very seriously—wash our hands, wear our masks and socially distance. But I do not believe that we must live in fear.
On the most recent episode of Secrets to Success with Kitty and Lisa, my friend, international speaker and author Kitty Yeung Downer and I discussed this very topic. (You can watch the full episode here.) Is there a difference between living in fear, and living with it? I believe the answer is yes.
Fear is not necessarily a bad thing; it is a natural, primitive emotion that alerts us to danger.
To oversimplify (and sillify) this physiological response, here’s what happens:
When we perceive danger, our brain tells our sympathetic nervous system that we’re in deep sh*t. The sympathetic nervous system then says WTF?! and floods our body with stress hormones. If we were living in an episode of The Krofft Supershow, these hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, would turn us into Electra Woman or Dyna Girl, and we’d be pumped up to either run away, or turn and fight Glitter Rock with the help of our Apple watch prototype, the ElectraCom.
This biochemical reaction keeps us safe when we’re being chased by a villian.
But are we? Being chased by a villain—all day, everyday? NO! However, when we watch the news, constantly scroll our twitter feed and compulsively track new COVID cases in our county, we’re telling our brain that we’re being chased by Mr. COVID, day in and day out. Dutifully, our brain does its job and tells our sympathetic nervous system to keep flooding our bodies with adrenaline and cortisol. Except, this isn’t an episode of The Krofft Supershow. We’re not fighting or fleeing, we’re sitting around getting more anxious, more freaked out and fatter around our bellies, because our bodies can’t process all of those unneeded hormones.
Which brings us to the elephant in the room
Why are we fearing COVID, which we as individuals—unless we’re an infectious disease expert—are completely incapable of doing a damn thing about! (Other than washing our hands, wearing our masks and staying six feet apart of course.)
For cryin’ out loud, why aren’t we talking about and doing every last thing we can do to keep ourselves healthy, our immune systems as strong as possible and our stress levels down? These are the things that will help us fight the virus if we do contract it and ultimately help prevent us from getting it in the first place.
Living in fear, is to play the victim. It is to worry about things over which we have zero control.
Learning to acknowledge and live with the ever present challenges, difficulties and disquietudes that are part of life, all the while doing what we can to protect ourselves—this my friends, is empowering.
Stop fearing and start living! Here’s how:
Turn off the bloody TV
Put down your phone
Eat some plants, which contain fiber, which in turn builds a healthy gut, and a healthy immune system
Move your body
Get out in nature
Breathe, practice yoga & meditate
Where our attention goes, our energy flows.
Not sure how or where to start? Then, let's chat! I have two monthly membership options that both provide you with a system, firm accountability and loving support, to help you learn to understand and live with your fears.
Here’s to feeling your very best,
Lisa