What is the opposite of fear?

Question

More specifically... I know when I fear something what it looks like i.e. I cower, I get anxious etc. What are some actions I can take to overcome fear? Practicals please =)!

Answer 1

faith

Answer 2

I've had to face some fairly big fears in the past few months. I'm 35 years old and was recently given a diagnosis that limits my time.

Anger and a sense of humor (though, at times, opposites) have carried me miles when confronting fears. When you feel anxious, get into the mindset that whatever it is you are fearing, you are certainly not alone in being the only one who has ever feared it. People are resilient and we have adapted over the millenia to overcome our fears. What's interesting and unique in all of us is how we choose to face and perhaps overcome our fears. Some fears are not easily or, in some cases, never overcome. They're hardwired in us.

The opposite of fear, I believe, is not courage, it's apathy -- not caring at all. Fear is a natural mechanism within all of us. When we become apathetic, we cease to be as real as the person with fears.

Ways to overcome fears? You've already taken the most important step. Talk about it. The more you talk about your fears, the smaller they sometimes become. People can help you. The more specific you are, the better someone might be able to help, oftentimes through direct experience. Educating yourself about your fears is also important. Many people fear things that are rather unknown to them. Sometimes, if you read up on the subject or ask friends about it, the fear might either diminish or you'll at least have a better understanding of the fear.

These are just a few very general hints. If you were more specific, I might be able to help you even further. I hope this helps, anyway. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Acceptance.

Help yourself to overcome these fears by getting a reality check. For instance, if you are afraid of spiders, think, "Okay, as icky as these spiders are, they're not going to hurt me." Another, if you were afraid of the dark, think, "No matter how many scary movies I've seen, I know that they are all fake. Nothing is going to come and get me, nothing is going to hurt me."

Although these thoughts may seem naive, naivety and ignorance are exactly what someone needs when you are comforting them, even yourself. You don't tell a shark attack victim that they are bleeding to death and will probably die- you comfort them and tell them that "It's not that bad," and "It'll be alright." So maybe that's a bit extreme, but it seems to work when you're in the situation!

Another technique I use is repeating a mantra to yourself when in a scary situation. Whether you pretend to be having a conversation with your best friend, telling yourself a joke, or simply praying, choose something that will come naturally to you, and practice saying it at times when you're not fearful. For example, when you're taking a hot shower, or when you're at the beach, or out with friends. This will make you associate good things with this phrase, and therefore if you repeat it when scared, you'll think of good times, and you won't be focusing on your fear.

Best wishes!

Answer 4

1) Breathing exercises
2) Rational thought. Are your fears irrational? Probably. If someone runs after you with a baseball bat, you have good reason to be afraid. Ask yourself why you are afraid. Ask if the fear is justified. Ask where it comes from.
You probably won't be able to do this right away. I recommend that you think back to previous experiences where you survived the fear. Look over those instances and ask the above questions. Then think about what happened. You survived. Well, how did you survive? Was your fear justified and reasonable? Did you do anything to prevent or protect yourself?

Your fears originated with you and your thoughts. It stands to reason that your solutions to your fears will also start with you and your thoughts. You are responsible for your ideas, thoughts and reactions.

Answer 5

No definitely not although it may seem that way depending on what a person perceives your 'toughness' to be. Fear causes a response in our brain to release adrenaline and then we are forced to toughen up and show anger. Part of the emotion of anger is to try and prove to an enemy that you are bigger than you really are and dupe them into thinking that you have no fear so they basically get scared off. This is primal. In the stone ages we certainly couldn't have survived without it.

Answer 6

#1. Realising that the fear is almost ALWAYS worse- than the experience. #2. Realising that whatever the "size" of your fear is- You're BIGGER. & #3. Realizing that if the WORST CASE Senario DOES happen- that you're always better off going down "in flames"- than you are curled up in a foetal position- crying for your Mommy! (Listen; you're GOING to outlive whatever you're afraid of- so WHAT'S the "point" of getting worked up about it??!) If you have to; act the role of "Xena" or "Conan The Barbarian"- and confront your fear as something you're going to "Beat the stuffing out of..."- when you get ahold of it! :)

Answer 7

for all those who answered that brave is the opposite of fear, know that being brave is not the absence of fear but its facing the fear no matter how fearfull you may be, so its more of a word associated with fear than complete opposite

Answer 8

COURAGE.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET COURAGE EXCEPT TO SAY JUST FACE YOUR FEAR.STOP BEING SO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THINK OF YOU.GET TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND START DRAWING BOUNDARIES.LET PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN'T MISTREAT YOU OR TALK TO YOU ANY TYPE OF WAY FROM NOW ON!IT'S LIKE GETTING STRONG.YOU WORK OUT ,YOUR MUSCLED GET SORE YOU KEEP WORKING OUT.
IT'S GOING TO HURT AT FIRST.PEOPLE WHO USED TO DOG YOU OUT WILL TRY TO MAKE YOU FEEL SMALL.DON'T TRIP.THEY WILL BE ONE LESS PHONY YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
I AM TYPING THIS MESSAGE IN CAPITAL LETTERS BECAUSE MY 'CAPS LOCK' SEEMS TO BE STUCK!
TAKE CARE.

Answer 9

Openly defy what you fear in a grand gesture of somesort.

Answer 10

Confidence to overcome. Faith in your ability.

Answer 11

think happy thoughts, and just find out what is it that makes you scared of it, and try to make a simple explanation for it and that's it
i hope it helps!