Hi and welcome to the savvy psychologist. I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson, your host. I'll help you

meet life challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

This week we take a little detour from our three-part series on toxic habits to conquer one of them.

Last week we covered avoidance, the elaborate workarounds we undertake to steer clear of our fears.

Whatever we avoid, the emotional gymnastics are exhausting,

and in the long run don't even work. So what to do? Today we'll cover four tips to face fear head on.

Fear buster number one. keep the movie playing.

Each of us has an imaginary heart-stopping moment we dread.

If you're camera shy, for example, you might worry about making a full of yourself on video and then

finding it on the web with hundreds of comments confirming your ridiculousness.

Or if you fear conflict you may picture yourself lamely trying to assert yourself and then bursting into tears.

Whatever you fear, don't hit pause on your imagined horror story at the worst possible moment.

Instead, keep the movie in your head rolling

until you're safe. Maybe your mortifying web video fades into internet oblivion or

even better you star in others that overshadow it. Maybe your tearful argument starts a real conversation.

Bottom line, whenever you picture your fear, push past the worst case scenario to a safe conclusion. You'll feel better prepared to handle the worst, which by

the way will likely never happen. Fearbuster number two, bring it on. Eventually, we get tired of being scared. When you're sick of

holding yourself back, do a 180 with your willingness. Be willing to stand

behind that podium, get on the plane, ask for a raise, or whatever it is you fear.

Your willingness is mutually exclusive from your fear.

You can be scared Willis and still be willing to say to your fear,

hit me with your best shot.

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