Future Fears

A study says that, if you're experiencing high levels of anticipatory fear, protective responses can lead to being unable to think clearly, being afraid to leave the house, or even being afraid of most social interactions. 

1. Practice Mindfulness

Research has shown that mindfulness can improve emotion regulation, which is incredibly helpful in reducing stress.

2. Repeat Mantras

You can repeat things like:

• I am safe
• It's gonna be alright
• All is well

Saying things like this to yourself can be helpful as your search for a long-term solution.

3. Exercise

Exercising can help keep you in the present moment. This way you are forced to think about the task at hand rather than worry about the future.

4. Keep a journal

Keeping a journal can help you fight off hindsight bias, which is when you get caught up thinking that you had better control of past events.

Whether you have found yourself experiencing anticipatory fear as a result of past traumas or for another reason altogether, it is important to find a therapist who can help you. Specifically, it would be helpful to seek out a therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, trauma, and PTSD.

It is completely normal to fear the future, but definitely take note if your fears are starting to take up a lot of your mental space. It's also important to notice if your actions are being impacted by your concerns. That said, hopefully, you can rest a little easier knowing that there are ways to get help and to move past these fears.