How to Cope When the World Seems Too Scary

How do you cope with fear? Events in Newtown, CT last week brought back an unwelcome emotion: fear.  My sense of denial, the thing all of us need to get up and leave the house everyday was damaged when I had a massive heart attack at age 35 while pregnant with twins.  In a matter of minutes, my world view changed.  The world was no longer safe.  I knew for certain bad things happen and suddenly the world was too scary. For months I had to daily talk myself into going out the door, living life despite my fear, I was pretty good at it, but felt alone in the struggle. Then came September 11, 2001, and the world became scary for the entire nation.  I felt a guilty sense of relief.  Everyone felt like I had for months – scared.  It was suddenly okay to talk about how to cope with fear publicly.  I was relieved to know others felt scared too, and my coping strategies seemed to help them. Today is another day in our nation when the world seems too scary – when we are all too aware that bad things can and do happen.  I am too quickly reminded of how it feels when your denial is torn away. To again have to answer for myself the questions: How do you get up, go out the door, and continue to live your life? How do you cope when the world seems too scary? My answer: By convincing yourself “it’s okay”. It’s okay to feel the way you are feeling: Sometimes I’d feel euphoric to have survived, sometimes angry at the loss of what I expected my...
Source: Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Award Winning Blog Stress Less Stress in crisis stress management Source Type: blogs