6 tips to avoid fear of the future

In uncertain times like the present, it is normal to harbor some doubts or certain concerns about the immediate or long-term future that lies ahead. The important thing is that these fears do not paralyze us or make us enter into a dynamic of self-sabotage, of harming ourselves without realizing it.

And it is that some people currently present a more or less exacerbated fear towards their future, something that causes them great discomfort and that on many occasions keeps them in a state of not daring to make important decisions, of living day to day passively, something that prevents them from achieving their goals and, in general, enjoying well-being emotional. Therefore, in this article we will give a review of the keys to avoid fear of the futureOr at least not let it become a constant problem.

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Strategies and tips to manage fear of the future

There are many fears that can seize us throughout our lives, from the fear of losing work, fear for the situation of our sentimental relationship or fear of crises economic. All these cases imply focusing our attention on hypotheses about what we believe the future holds for us; Sometimes, given the impossibility of knowing exactly what will happen, we tend to

obsess over the most pessimistic predictions.

Fear can sometimes be a good ally that allows us to avoid conflictive or dangerous situations, however, when it dominates our life and prevents us from positively advancing or prospering becomes a major problem that must be addressed shorted.

In order to learn how to correctly manage this fear of the future and to acquire a series of strategies and practical tools that allow us to live our life fully and without fear of what may happen, then we will see a series of tips and effective practices that we can apply on a daily basis in this sense.

1. Set short-term goals

Some long-term goals can end up generating frustration in many people due to the time it takes. it takes time to achieve them, which in turn also ends up causing uncertainty and discomfort regarding the future.

To overcome this feeling of uncertainty it is highly recommended set short-term goals on a weekly, monthly, or even daily basis, to know at all times what is the specific objective on which we must focus at a certain moment.

These short-term goals are more accessible and the fact of reaching them in a short time helps us to have a greater sense of well-being and satisfaction with a job well done, even if they are small achievements.

Each of these small day-to-day achievements, added together, will allow us to become aware of the progress we are making, which will have a positive impact on our mental and emotional health.

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2. Avoid trying to block fear-based thoughts

Trying to block fear-based thoughts is counterproductive: in addition to being ineffective, with this we will achieve the opposite effect, by being more "defensive" before those ideas and images mental.

On the contrary, it is necessary to analyze one's own thoughts rationally and be clear about at all times that these are the product of the fear that we have of the future that is presented to us in our life; We must accept that we do not have total control over what goes through our heads, and also accept a certain level of discomfort as something natural, without giving it more importance than it has, so as not to frustrate us.

To successfully overcome these types of thoughts, it is advisable to redirect attention towards activities more constructive and stimulating that make us feel better and allow us to stay active and motivated.

This means that we can, for example, do pleasurable activities that motivate us, such as practicing some sports, reading, meeting friends, participating in sports competitions or any type of pastime that keeps us busy.

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3. Practice relaxation techniques

Practicing various relaxation techniques daily or weekly that can be useful will help us reach states of consciousness and on a physical level. much more balanced and calm in our day to day.

These states of relaxation will allow us to carry out with greater efficiency and diligence all the activities and personal or professional responsibilities that we must deal with each day or each week of job.

There are many relaxation techniques that we currently have to overcome all kinds of discomfort or fear towards the future. recent or long-term, it is up to us to carry out those that best suit us and that best suit our needs individuals.

Among the main relaxation techniques that we can practice in our day to day we find meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation, or tai chi.

4. Learn to detect irrational worries

There are many people worried about their future who end up developing thoughts in their heads about themselves or irrational worries about catastrophic events that will happen in the future.

To overcome these kinds of concerns that are not based on any real and plausible fact, it is necessary learn to detect them, analyze them and judge rationally what possibilities exist that happen.

A good exercise to discard this type of irrational worries is to analyze them in retrospect and see that many of the things we thought were going to happen have not actually happened.

5. Maintain an active social life

Another piece of advice that we can follow to overcome fear of the future is to maintain an active social life on a day-to-day basis.

This will help us keep our minds distracted and allow us to be with people who make us feel better and that help us improve our mental health, our self-esteem and that bring out the best in us themselves.

On top of that, interacting with other people too It can help us not to always think in the same way or fall into the confirmation bias, since having more points of view different from ours and with different ways of interpreting reality, we can question our personal approaches to the future and life in general.

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6. Go to the psychologist

Going to the psychologist is also one of the best tips that we can follow to overcome the fear of the future that we have ahead of us, and a highly recommended practice whenever the advice above does not take effect mentioned.

A professional psychologist specialized in anxiety problems it will help us to change our way of conceiving our life, as well as the past and the future in a much more positive way.

In addition to that, psychologists are also experts in providing and teaching all kinds of strategies useful and practical that can help us overcome any fear we may have in our lives daily.