Fear is a human emotion that is triggered by a perceived threat. It is a basic survival mechanism that signals our bodies to respond to danger with a fight or flight response. As such, it is an essential part of keeping us safe.
However, when people live in constant fear, whether from physical dangers in their environment or threats they perceive, they can experience negative impacts in all areas of their lives and even become incapacitated.
How fear works
Fear prepares us to react to danger. Once we sense a potential danger, our body releases hormones that:
- Slow or shut down functions not needed for survival (such as our digestive system)
- Sharpen functions that might help us survive (such as eyesight). Our heart rate increases, and blood flows to muscles so we can run faster.
Our body also increases the flow of hormones to an area of the brain known as the amygdala to help us focus on the presenting danger and store it in our memory.
With negative news, high-pressure careers, natural disasters, violence and epidemics, it’s really no wonder why some people can be plagued with fears—hands begin to shake as the heart starts beating faster. All of this anxiety can cause people to stop living the bucket list lifestyle they dream of.
So, how can we overcome these fears? How can we stay calm and strong in the face of turmoil? What do we do when the fear tries to paralyze all our being? There were a set of tools I used to face my anxiety and fears that might help you, but also these 8 books on fear contain decades of experience, and can guide you in the right direction.
1. The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
Most of us hate fear. But Gavin de Becker claims it’s a GIFT. Seriously? Yes seriously, the author is an expert on predicting violent behavior and he explains that our true fear is a signal that is called to protect us.
“You can refuse to be a victim.”(1) states de Becker. He describes the warning signs which always indicate future violence. Learning these signals, a person can avoid being hurt. Gavin explains that there is a universal code of violence and it’s very important for us to learn to recognize it.
After reading this book on fear you will learn to listen to your intuition, separate real danger from an imagined one, and recognize the survival signals that your brain gives you.
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Brené Brown claims that your vulnerability is actually one of your strengths. Do you have this tickling feeling of disagreeing inside of your chest? The same thing happened to me when I first saw this book, but the author challenges the way we understand vulnerability and she backs her arguments with twelve years of research.
This book about fear shows us a perspective of “sitting on the same side of the table”(2) and acknowledging our imperfection. It will also help to improve your personal and work relationships by explaining to us how we can communicate and give feedback in a way that will be heard and understood.
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“Storms are not an option, but fear is” (3). In his book “Fearless”, Max Lucado helps us restore our balance finding a strong connection with God.
Max Lucado is a person of great hope. And his book is felt with honesty and kindness. Every chapter represents a complete story and helps concentrate on the positive side of life and remember simple but strong lessons from the Bible. The author explores different types of fear and helps us look our fear in the face.
Host and author Dave Ramsey recommends this book “to anyone who is tired of the doom and gloom and ready to step out of fear once and for all.”(3)
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Have you ever missed a good opportunity because of fear? You didn’t get a promotion or didn’t ask that pretty girl on a date—these situations have happened to most of us. Russ Harris gives us an incredible manual on how to overcome our fear and build self-confidence.
He uses a very special approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This method teaches us to accept our fears and feelings, and then we can begin to build our confidence around our core values. The author sees success as “living by your values.”(4) And our values give us the strength we need to overcome fear.
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Turn your fear into power, your decision into action, your anger into love! Does that sound exciting? Then buckle up! Dr. Susan Jeffers will take you on this remarkable transformation journey.
Susan describes five truths about fear and gives her readers a 10-step process for creating positive thinking.
“Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” is not only a practical guide to overcoming your fears, its title is also a great mantra worth repeating again and again.
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What doesn’t let make your dreams come true? – “Fear of failure”(5), says Ruth Soukup. In her book “Do It Scared”, she shares her experience of overcoming your fears and living your dream. Courage does not mean fearlessness. The courage is being scared but still doing what it takes.
Ruth invites you to indicate your own Fear Archetype and learn to conquer it. The author lists 7 fear archetypes: the procrastinator, the rule follower, the people pleaser, the outcast, the self-doubter, the excuse maker and the pessimist. The names are quite self-descriptive, really. But the instructions of beating those demons are worth reading.
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“We are very afraid of being powerless. But we have the power to look deeply at our fears, and then fear cannot control us.”(6)
A profound thinker, teacher, and poet Thich Nhat Hanh uses simple sentences to convey eternal truths. The author explores the roots of fear and walks us through simple yet deep steps to calm our soul. This book is filled with spiritual power and great lightness. Hanh tells us that our greatest teacher is within us and he encourages people “not to take refuge in anything that’s outside of you.”
This book about fear is a remarkable journey inside of yourself—a journey to find inner peace.
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You have the power to change your destiny. To some this is a disputable statement, but Joseph Murphy spent years of research and practice to compile this work. He says that most events that happen to us are results of our conscious and subconscious activity.
The scientist studied the world’s religions for years and discovered that spiritual practice is a source of human strength.
“Just keep your conscious mind busy with expectation of the best.”(7) and read this great book about fear.
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We are living in an amazing time when you don’t have to spend years traveling through India or Thailand to study the teachings of the wise. We can access lessons from experienced humankind just by clicking a couple of buttons. And maybe as we delve deeper into the process of overcoming our fear we will learn that fear is a choice.
CITATIONS: 1. The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker 2. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead 3. Fearless by Max Lucado 4. The Confidence Gap: A Guide To Overcoming Fear And Self-Doubt by Russ Harris 5. Do It Scared: Finding The Courage To Face Your Fears, Overcome Adversity, And Create A Life You Love by Ruth Soukup 6. Fear by Thich Nhat Hanh7. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
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