Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Begin.
Fear protects us. It is the body’s response to perceived danger that keeps us alert and safe. It is a deep trust or knowing that things will not work out in our best interest – perhaps even, at our detriment. In a moment of fear for perceived danger, the body launches a full response by activating the systems we need for survival (i.e. releasing stress hormones that cause the heart rate and blood pressure to increase, pumping extra blood to the muscles to get ready to respond, and speeding up breathing) and slows or shuts down the systems we do not (i.e. the full digestive system, a weakening of the immune system, and impairment in the long-term memory). Anytime this response is activated, it gets stored in the mind to help us avoid the potential of these situations again. Whether threats to our safety are real or perceived, the fear response in the body is the same.
Pause. Take a moment to notice your body. Do you observe any changes in your heart rate, your stomach, the muscles in your face or limbs, or the temperature of your body? Just notice.
Invite a full breath into the body.
And a full breath out.
Begin again.
My path into this work has been organic as I’ve worked to soothe my own body’s response to fear and anxiety. I navigate the world with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a mood disorder linked to the natural hormonal fluctuations of my menstrual cycle. Though it varies in severity, I experience monthly episodes of depression that, if not properly cared for, can roll into anxiety, paranoia, self-hate and suicidal ideation. As a woman, and specifically a woman of color, it took years to receive this diagnosis and start to understand how to care for myself and communicate with loved ones. It was through the process of understanding my body’s natural response to these heightened states that I could begin the process of acknowledging past guilt, trauma, and shame and move into a space of healing. Through reconnecting with my body and learning to be receptive to its own unique form of communication, I began to exist in relationship with my body rather than against it.
In an effort to counter fear; the fear in the middle of an episode, the fear an episode will come back, the fear of really seeing myself and not liking the reflection. I had to find the antidote: faith. Faith boasts the same power as fear: it is a deep trust or knowing that things will work out in your favor. As it turns out faith and fear are two sides of the same coin. They both demand you believe in something you cannot see. Which means that outside of immediate situations of danger, you get to choose. A strong connection to faith, whether religious or secular, can reduce stress, improve immune function, and have overall positive ripple effects on our physical and mental health. At a time in our society where fear is a tool used to keep us caged and compliant, faith offers a possibility of expansion. If we can learn to lean into faith through various mindfulness practices, we are provided an opportunity to grow our perspectives and views of both ourselves and the world around us. Start small and notice when in your daily life there is an opportunity to meet fear and nurture it into faith. As you become attuned to those moments, witness the subtle but profound effects as your body softens into faith. For deeper support in working through fear and anxiety held in the body, reach out to a mental health professional.
Jasmine Linane-Booey of Kazuko Wellness is a Somatic Energy Guide. She holds two certificates in Reiki (Paris, France and Spokane, WA), over 10 years experience as a certified yoga and meditation guide (Goa, India), a certification as a Somatic Energy Practitioner (Spokane, WA), and is a trained Psilocybin guide and wellness coach. Contact: hello@kazukowellness.com | www.kazukowellness.com