How to Gain Courage, Confidence, and Hope in the Face of Fear  

Social Distancing without Social Isolation

If you are a living, breathing, human-being, you may face fear in your life that shows up at times when you are at the edge of the something new or at those times when you are facing change and transitions into the sphere of the unknown. The greatest fear you may have right now is the fear of the unknown in terms of how each of you will be impacted by the coronavirus. You can’t escape the significant “wake-up” call to pay attention to your health and well-being as well in your social and recreational outlets. Many are feeling the unknown edge of financial sustainability. 

Fear is part of the human design to keep you safe and prompts you to be more awake, aware and alert when you meet a threat. Fear will always show up when you are in unknown territory; especially when you can’t see what is ahead. One way to meet fear is to make the unknown knowable by engaging in what is triggering your fear one step at a time. Exploring the truth of the situation can alleviate your fear from running the show. Recognizing the difference between what is within your control and what is a no-control situation so you can take steps for options you can do when you are in a no control situation. You can only do your part, what is yours to do by assuming authority and taking responsibility for yourself and those you are responsible for. In the case of the coronavirus it means adopting consistent hand hygiene, having some supplies on hand in case you need to stay home due to illness and following the guidelines about avoiding situations where you may be exposed to individuals with the virus.

The bigger question is how to navigate through fear, so it doesn’t stop you in your tracks and create energy loss from anxiety and uncertainty. Fear can hold you hostage in freeze mode or fight-or-flight as you prepare for the unexpected and hope for the best outcome. You will lose valuable energy that will run you down. The irony is that if you are triggered into the fight-or-flight stress response your immune system will be negatively impacted by the physiologic shift to survival mode which compounds your vulnerability of getting sick or contracting the virus.
One thing is clear, the “contagion” is real. Contagion is defined by Merriam-Webster as the transmission of disease by direct or indirect contact. An alternative definition for social contagion is the rapid spread of an emotional state or influence such as thoughts, emotions, and behaviors from person to person.

You can see in the news the impact of contagion from the reporting of the rapid spread of the virus in communities around the globe. We also see the contagion of the fear and panic element that is coming through the media to push the story into the front and center of nearly every news story. You can see the contagion of shoppers stocking up in preparation for quarantine.

But what if the contagion was through prayer, meditation and intention to pulse out hope and healing for containment of this disease, for resources to be available for the stricken, for our leaders to make sound, sober decisions on our behalf. What if we come together and supported one another through these uncertain times to cultivate courage, confidence and hope so we can feel brave to meet this confrontation through our social connections of listening and supporting each other as we seek to make sense of the current circumstances we are faced with. What if there is contagion of the new social structure of people staying home with family and taking a pause from the normal routines of go-go-go. What if there is the contagion of long-lasting changes in our priorities around self-care, sick benefits and how we keep our immune system functioning well. You receive emails every day from the increased consciousness that businesses are waking up to in their process of keeping customers and clients safe and healthy in how they are modifying their cleaning processes within the spaces we move in.

The stress resilience mode I’m referring to is the “tend-and-befriend” stress response that naturally dampens fear and increases courage and hope. Coming together in support of each other to lean-in for support triggers a primary stress resilience response that is connected to the hormone oxytocin, the bonding hormone. Dopamine, linked to the reward system makes you more social, brave and optimistic so you don’t freeze in your fear. How you are putting yourself into social connections with friends and family may be shifting but social connection is still a vital factor to keep your immune system strong and resilient. Social Distancing does not have to be social isolation. Be creative with all they ways you can keep your connections strong; connect on social media, make a phone call, meet on zoom and enjoy smaller more intimate gatherings. Notice the humor and inspiring posts that are coming out on social media. When you are in a business or social settings offer a Namaste bow to make a meaningful connected gesture aligning with the tend-and-befriend mode.

Let’s come together and spread contagion. Contagion of heath, hope, happiness, connection, empowerment, living consciously aware of our surroundings. Let’s spread contagion of courage and our up-level approach to how we each take responsibility for what is ours to do and to offer a Namaste to each other. (translation: My light honors the light in you.)

Fear is your teacher that teaches you how to make the unknown, knowable. Lean into your fear so you can grow beyond the unknown and at times “no-control” situations. It may be the knock of Spirit inviting you to up-level your life in some way. There is a prize when we make fear our companion along our journey through change and transition so we can stay alert and pay attention to our priorities and what really matters.

Sara Regester
Stress Mastery Expert
Directions 4 Wellness
www.directions4wellness.com