Wellbeing & Culture

Facing our Fears 

One thing we, in the well-being room, often remind students of is it is okay to be nervous, worried, or afraid. Experiencing anxieties and fear is normal and natural, but we MUST face our fears if we ever want to build the capacity to overcome these otherwise crippling emotions. 

Avoiding Vs. Facing Fears- sometimes we just want to run away and hide when we get worried or afraid of something, but science and common sense prove this is NOT helpful for our overall strength and well-being. 

Now in saying this, yes, we have fear and anxiety for a reason- and it is there to keep us safe, but usually, when we experience something that triggers fear in us, there are no real dangers around.  Some of the most common fears are related to social situations (e.g., public speaking, approaching someone you don’t know well, working on projects with someone mean to you, etc.).  Other common fears are related to specific things, animals, or situations that have no inherent danger (e.g., heights, roller coasters, spiders, flying in a plane, etc.). 

We all have fears, and we can all face them. Often, I like to think of fear as an opportunity to practice being brave. We can’t help the initial experience of worry or fear, but we can control how we handle that feeling.  We always have a choice of being brave. Though it may be easier said than done- the choice is always there. 

More Information on Facing Your Fears – Better Health: Every Mind Matters 

Cheyenne Yates- On behalf of the Wellbeing & Culture Team.