Power of Gratitude: Overcoming Fear and Stress
During my postpartum journey with my first child, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, uncertainties, and fears. My son had colic, and I had no idea how to help him. As a new mom, I constantly questioned myself: Was I doing a good enough job? Could I be trusted to care for my baby alone? Were my actions keeping him safe? These anxieties consumed my thoughts and prevented me from fully embracing the joy of motherhood. I felt isolated and alone. It’s safe to say that the first few months with a newborn is no joke.
When I discovered the power of meditation and practicing gratitude, I found solace and peace amidst the chaos. Meditation allowed me to quiet my racing thoughts and fears, creating a space to slow down and appreciate the present moment. By focusing on the here and now, I shifted my perspective and saw all the things I had to be grateful for.
Instead of dwelling on the unknown and worrying about what could go wrong, I started to consciously acknowledge the blessings in my life. From the little milestones my baby achieved to the support system around me, I realized how much there was to be grateful for. This shift in mindset was one of the ways I was able to alleviate my fear. It also allowed me to embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood fully.
Practicing gratitude became a daily ritual, and I found that it not only helped me appreciate the small joys but also brought a sense of calm and contentment to my life. It reminded me to be kind to myself, to trust my instincts, and to cherish the precious moments with my baby.
Everyone encounters stress and fear
Maybe it’s fear over the way work is going. Perhaps you’re stressing about your personal life. Maybe you’re stressed over world events. Or perhaps you don’t know where the stress and fear are coming from, but you know it’s lurking there in the back of your mind.
How do you even begin to fight back against this insidious force?
One simple step: gratitude.
Learning to express your gratitude for the little things around you is the first step toward beating back and counteracting the stress and fear that always seem to threaten to overwhelm us.
Community
The thing about stress and fear is that they tend to isolate us in our misery.
When things get stressful, the natural reaction is to hide that stress and try to push on or ignore it. This leaves you feeling like you’re the only one who’s ever experienced or who will experience anything of this nature.
Gratitude is all about connection and community.
As you express your gratitude and give thanks to the people and situations surrounding you, you’ll find that your connections grow. Growing connections are meant to pull you out of that isolation and put you back in a place where you can easily share those fears and insecurities.
Minimize the Issue
Stress and fear, experienced in self-imposed isolation, can often be the only thing we think about. We go to bed stressing about that one issue at work, wake up with the same thoughts, and let it gnaw at our thoughts and emotions throughout the day.
Gratitude breaks up that cycle and starts to minimize the issue you’re experiencing.
It’s hard to continue being stressed at work when you realize how grateful you are for having a job and a supportive family and friends who make you laugh. Rather than continuing in the same rut of worry, stress, and fear, expressing your gratitude gives you a reason to see beyond the issue that’s causing all those problems.
Facing the uncontrollable
In life, we can encounter many situations that are beyond our control. The fear of the unknown is scary. Sometimes we may feel helpless and uncertain of our future or someone else’s. Facing the uncontrollable can be intimidating and humbling. These experiences harness our resilience and adaptability to the ever-growing change that is life.
Five count breath:
What we can control is the here and now, our present moment, and our breath. Taking time to breathe, even a 5-minute meditation break can help you feel more in control. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this:
Breathe in through the nose with a count of five
Hold for five counts
Exhale for five counts
Try this a few rounds and increase if needed.
Grow With Gratitude
Often, stress and fear are rooted in a problem that we struggle to outgrow or outwork.
Gratitude is a moment of growth that focuses on being thankful for what we have, not what we can do or exceed.
As you learn to express gratitude fully and completely, the key comes as you realize that you are valuable just the way you are. There’s no project at work, a problem at home or school, or a chore you haven’t finished that will make you any less valuable or grateful for what you have!
Takeaway
Stress and fear can affect us at every stage of life. Learning to manage that stress and fear starts with one simple step: gratitude.
As you learn to express your gratitude, you’re able to break out of the cycle of stress and fear and move yourself into a space that’s thankful for the little things and appreciative of who you are, not what you’re trying to accomplish.
I encourage you to explore the power of meditation and gratitude. Allow yourself the space to slow down, acknowledge your fears and uncertainties, and then consciously shift your focus to the blessings that surround you. You'll be amazed at how this simple practice can transform your perspective and help you find peace amidst the challenges.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and by embracing gratitude, you can find the strength and resilience to navigate the beautiful rollercoaster of life.
