Self-detox from Fear Addiction

“Who, me, is addicted to fear?”

You might be thinking that. Who wants to think that they are dependent on something like fear? Well, it can and does happen. Although the majority of people in today’s society are unaware of their addiction, it can be very cunning.

Your body reacts by increasing the output of adrenaline whenever you are exposed to something that makes you experience fear to any extent. The adrenaline output would typically return to normal levels and the fear would pass quickly. However, your adrenaline output remains high when you are constantly experiencing fear (such as stress, anxiety, anger, tension, or dread). This causes behavior known as addiction after a period of time when it becomes the body’s norm.

Now here’s the thing. Your body has a safety feature called “stasis”. This means that the levels at which your organs function most of the time are regarded as typical for your body’s innate intelligence. Therefore, if you are operating at a high level of adrenaline for the majority of the time, your body perceives this as normal and is content to be constantly stressed out. But if something changes in your life and your adrenaline production decreases, your body will send your brain a stimulus to come up with something that will raise your adrenaline levels back to where they were before the change. (You can read more about this in Joe Dispenza’s book, Evolve Your Brain.) When this happens, you start to become dependent on triggers that make you feel more anxious and fearful.

How can you tell if you’re dependent on fear? If you answer “yes” to any or all of these questions you probably are addicted. Do you:

1. Do you consider it necessary to watch the news on TV at least once per day?

2. Movies about action and adventure should be preferred over comedies and love stories.

3. Do you have a demanding job or one you detest?

4. existence based solely on income?

5. Have a condition or illness brought on by stress, such as high blood pressure, persistent digestive issues, or headaches?

6. Do you frequently find yourself discussing and thinking about drama and unfortunate events?

7. Have a lot of high maintenance friends, like drama queens and needy people?

What can you do, then, to prevent your body from leading you to threatening situations so that it can satisfy its addiction to fear and adrenaline? Here are a few tips:

1. Withdrawal: KEEP AWAY FROM TV NEWS! It is NOT necessary for you to be aware of every terrible thing that occurs worldwide. The majority of those terrifying things are beyond your control, which makes you even more terrified and frustrated. Stop reading the news in the newspapers and radio, too. The main causes of fear today are those. When was the last time you watched TV news or read a newspaper with a happy headline at the top of the page?

2. Substitution: Watch uplifting, humorous TV or DVD programming. Listen to calming music and read comedic books.

3. Flip switch: Change your inner focus to the things you love, find beautiful, reassuring, or soothing.

4. Big Picture/Little Picture: This method has proven to be very successful in my experience. Visualize whatever it is that makes you afraid. Imagine it now vanishing as it continues to get smaller and smaller. See something that makes you feel at ease, at comfort, and relaxed next by using your inner vision. Expand it until it completely fills your field of vision.

5. Breathe: Your breathing becomes shallow and your body begins to react in a fearful manner when you experience fear or any form of it. Consciously take a slow breath and send the air deep into your belly, filling your lungs from the bottom upward. As you take this breath, you should be able to see your stomach expanding. You’re breathing shallowly if your shoulders lift when you inhale. Let out the breath gradually. A minimum of twice more, repeat. (Women should take note that wearing a bra prevents deep breathing, so you may need to work a little harder on this exercise or remove your bra.)

6. Soak out the toxins: Warm bathwater with Epsom salts added will help your body rid itself of chemical toxins like the stress hormone cortisol. To relax, add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender. While you soak, read a book that will make you smile or laugh, or put on some calming music.

7. Get a hug: We must keep a 6-foot distance between each person, I am aware of that. But there has to be someone in your life who you feel safe hugging. For us to survive, human contact is necessary.

8. Go outside: Connect with the environment. Use your yard’s grass or the beach’s sand as barefoot-friendly surfaces. Put your hands in the dirt and touch a tree. Face the sun with your head up. Face the rain if it is falling and turn up your face. (That sensation is wonderful!)

9. Practice some form of meditation: Learn how if you don’t already know how. You are not required to enroll in a course. It is possible to buy CDs and DVDs. Try Qi Qong, a form of moving meditation, if sitting still isn’t your thing.

10. __________________. You are aware of what you can do to calm your anxiety. Just do it.