As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, many people are feeling helpless, insecure, and downright terrified of what may lie ahead. We want to act, to regain control, but we don’t know what to do. So our fears are magnified, making us less rational, and this adds stress to our bodies at a time when we all want to be strong.

Fear itself is a lot like a virus. It replicates and passes from person to person. Fear breeds panic. This not only weakens us as individuals, but also sabotages the mechanics of society, which now more than ever need to be efficient.

However, if you know how to reduce your fear, it keeps your mind clear, promotes well-being, and helps those around you stay calm as well. It’s a win-win situation! We have to wait and trust science to solve the physical problem, but we absolutely have control over the mental and emotional aspects, even in extreme circumstances.

So how do you do this when your fears are intense and out of control?

Here are my three steps to reduce fear and remain calm in times of crisis:

1) The first step is to withdraw your power; This is a technique I teach to promote calm and reduce anxiety in many situations. You can learn this very easily.

Close your eyes, take a few slow breaths and notice any fear or anxiety you feel; maybe it’s fear of the virus itself, fear of a report you just heard on the news, or fear of the consequences. yourself or your loved ones. Imagine that fear outside your body, in the world.

Now imagine a wire running between your chest and the source of your fear. Threaded onto the wire is a brightly colored ball, like a beach ball. This is the ball of your power and right now your fear has the power and you are powerless.

In your mind’s eye, reach out, grab the ball, and pull it along the cable to your chest, concentrating intently on the ball as you do so; focus is very important. Now focus on the ball of power inside your chest. Hold that focus for as long as you can.

As you do this, you regain your power and your fear loses its power over you. You will begin to feel calm return and your mind will relax.

2) Now that your mind is calmer, it’s time to create a new mindset of empowerment. Deep in our subconscious minds are age-old fears around the plague, and these old patterns have been triggering within us. Our subconscious minds don’t understand that things have changed since then.

The truth is that the Coronavirus is fortunately NOT a plague as our ancestors knew. Our living conditions and our scientific experience are light years ahead of those times. We have many factors in our favor that make direct comparisons with the past inappropriate. Yes, we have a global challenge, but we are resourceful and have brilliant minds capable of finding a solution. As you continue to breathe gently, imagine breathing in these truths and breathing out all those old ancient understandings that have been triggered within you. Imagine your subconscious mind being updated with accurate 21st century information.

3) Finally, understand that the more you control your fears, the less stress your body will have and the better you will be able to deal with this threat and any other. Taking this action to reduce your fear and anxiety actually keeps you safer. Hold that realization in your mind for a few moments, and then open your eyes and move on with your day.

Do this procedure whenever your fears start to grow. It only takes a couple of minutes, but it can have a profoundly beneficial effect on your mental and emotional well-being.

When you take steps to regain your power of fear, your mind feels safer and clearer, your anxiety and stress are reduced, and you are in a much better state to cope.

Just as fear replicates, so does calm. When you maintain this positive mindset, you will help others to do the same and this, in turn, will help all of us create the best possible outcome in this difficult time.