You know those moments when you find yourself in a fearful headspace? For me, I start analyzing everything and playing out every possible future scenario I can think of. I feel worried, anxious, confused and frustrated. Not fun.

Not to be able to stop thinking is a dreadful affliction, but we don’t realize this because almost everybody is suffering from it, so it is considered normal. This incessant mental noise prevents you from finding that realm of inner stillness that is inseparable from Being.~Eckhart Tolle

Nowadays I have very little tolerance for feeling that way because I know I don’t have to. I know, at least intellectually, that I have the power to choose peace whenever I want, in any situation.

But I used to have trouble actually applying this whole idea of “choosing happiness”. What does that really mean, and how do I do it? In asking that question, I learned it’s about finding and doing activates that get you out of your ego head and into your heart.

4 Ways to Get out of Your Fearful Headspace

When I am in my heart-space I feel light, excited and inspired. To be inspired means to be in-spirit. I am aligned with my highest most authentic self. It’s this place I want to keep coming back to every time I wander off into fear-land.

Below are my five go-to ways for getting out of a fearful mindset and back to some love… fast:

1. Go Mountain Biking (or do some other epic activity you love)

Nowadays, mountain biking is one of my favorite activities ever. While dodging trees and boulders down a mountain, there’s no opportunity to think about anything but the present moment.

If my mind wanders off to the future, or what my friend said to me earlier, I will be flying over my handlebars into a tree in no-time. Mountain biking requires me to be fully in the present moment.

Maybe you’re not a mountain biker, but the point here is to do an activity that you love and is also challenging enough that it requires your full attention.

2. Spend Time With (Or Call) A Close Friend

If I ever find myself feeling off, or upset because I made a mistake, a quick way home to my true Self is to call up a close friend or family member. In other words, I find a way to be vulnerable and connect with someone I trust.

I believe deep down we all want to feel seen, heard and like we belong. In order to have this connection, we have to be vulnerable. This reminds us that we are not alone in the fears that we experience, and no matter what, we deserve love and happiness.

3. Write Badly

Journaling is a practice that has greatly helped me over the years. It’s a safe place for me to just rant and let it all out. One of the most profound things I’ve learned is the importance of actually feeling my feelings. There is nothing “spiritual” about hiding how you feel.

Journaling is a great way to let your feelings out in a positive way. My journal is a special little space where I give myself full permission to write badly. Grammatically it’s a mess; spiritually it’s sacred.

4. Bust Some Moves

Nothing gets me out of fearful thinking faster than blasting some upbeat music and dancing around the house. Leaping from couch to couch, twirling through the kitchen and doing the worm on the bedroom floor helps move energy and feelings through my body.

Close your eyes, move in whatever crazy way you want and just let it flow. Why not add in a little singing? There’s a time and place for the whole “less is more” philosophy. This is not it.

In the end, the one common theme throughout all these activities is that they bring me right into the here and now. Fear only thrives in past and future thinking, so when we practice coming back to ourselves in this moment, we can get a fresh loving perspective on any situation.

Do you have trouble staying present in the NOW? Join the conversation in the comment section below 

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