I was going to write about something completely different today but in light of the Texas tragedy, I had to address this.
Sadly, another shooting has occurred where innocent children and adults were taken from us. I'm not going to get into the dos and don'ts of this situation but I am going to address what it is doing to us.
Even though my children are past school age and even though I, myself, am a teacher, this has affected me and millions of others greatly. My children are not in any danger and I don't feel that I am either so why am I so afraid?
I began researching the psychology of fear. It has both a physical and psychological response. It gives us the fight or flight response that may save lives.
Our response is very similar to excitement. Some people enjoy this feeling when they, maybe, ride on a rollar coaster or go zip lining (I am not that person). While others will stay far away from these (I am that person). What I didn't know is that studies show that this response can also be linked to disgust.
Certainly, the Texas tragedy brings about disgust. Disgust for the shooter who needed mental help, disgust for the door being open to let him in and disgust for that we need to, once again, feel this way. It feels like everywhere we turn, there is something to fear, shooter, virus, economic downfall...
We have been living in some sort of fearful state for at least two years and for some people, longer than that. It is impeding our daily lives, the way we interact with others, the way we work, play and live. For some, it is causing anxiety, dread and even panic.
Perhaps, understanding where fear comes from can help. Besides the innate fight or flight, fear comes from many places. Sometimes, it is obtained from childhood such as when you're afraid of spiders or snakes and you haven't had an experience with them. Some say it's built into our DNA from ancestral experiences. Others say it's a Pavlovian experience where one is conditioned to fear something. Of course, there are many other reasons, such as trauma, that can cause fear.
Serious fears should be dealt with therapy or medication. Those that have developed anxiety due to what's going on in the world can try a few things.
First, I will always advocate for breath work and meditation. Literally, taking your mind to a place of relaxation. Giving your mind a break will physically lower your blood pressure and if done consistently will give an automatic response when you need it most.
Second, try to figure out where your fear is coming from. Do some research and find "the other side" to give you something to think about and challenge your fear.
I'm not sure what to even say about the Texas tragedy. My heart hurts for all parents of school age children. You should never need to worry about sending your child to school. I would definitely challenge yourself to check the safety precautions your school has in place to ease your mind a bit.
My purpose here is to help you become aware that there are ways to combat fear especially ones that have developed recently. I have found that the new normal is not the way I want to live and I'm assuming, you feel the same. I'm being proactive with my fears and dealing with them head on. As a teacher, I can let fear rule me, but I refuse to do so. I will not let the doings of others, impact my mental health.
If you have strategies that you use to combat fear, let me know so I can share with others and we can work together to live a happier, healthier life.