Many people spend a lot of time dreading the future. In extreme cases, people may be unable to get to sleep due to this fear or may undertake obsessive rituals to protect themselves against future events.
There are different ways in which people fear the future. Some people fear specific events like a presentation, a social event or an exam – which is typically referred to as ‘anticipatory anxiety’. Others fear the passing of time and get worried that old age or death is approaching too soon – known as ‘chronophobia’. Meanwhile, others fear that they won’t be able to leave behind a great enough legacy or that they won’t be able to prevent events like climate change.
It’s natural to have some concern over the future, but it shouldn’t keep you up at night or stop you from enjoying the present. Below are some tips on how to treat a fear of the future.
Reflect on times you were positively surprised
When it comes to fear of events, consider reflecting on events in the past where you were pleasantly surprised by the outcome, rather than those that didn’t go well. Our fear of certain social situations or exams can come from bad experiences, but there are likely other experiences where things went surprisingly smoothly. Focusing on these past events will help you to approach new events with more confidence. It’s also worth noting that while change can be scary, many of us eventually learn to adapt. Many of us get anxious about moving home or getting a new job, but once we’ve made the change we soon adapt.
Take a break from planning when you get stressed
A lot of us combat our fear of the future by excessively planning for it. While it is healthy to prepare thoroughly, you should not allow yourself to get overly stressed by the planning process. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a breather and try to gain your composure. Accept that you can never plan for every eventuality and that you can overplan for things – prioritise the most important things worth planning for.
Schedule time to enjoy the moment
Many of us get so caught up worrying about the future that we forget to enjoy the present. Make sure to schedule time to enjoy the here and now so that every minute isn’t spent planning for the next step. Allow time for spontaneity and know when to let others plan things for you.
Talk to a psychic medium
Can psychics predict the future? That’s up to you to decide. Many people who are uncertain about the future do feel that it benefits them to talk to a psychic medium – it can reassure or warn you of certain things so that you have some expectations.
Discuss your concerns with friends and family
It’s important to talk about concerns with your friends and family. Don’t allow bad feelings to stew up – express your worries with the people around you. They may be able to console you and offer support in some cases. It could even just be liberating to be open with your concerns.
Seek out a professional therapist
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to friends or family, it could be worth talking to a professional therapist – especially if it’s a fear that has become debilitating to your everyday life. Therapists can help you to understand the root cause of your feelings and help you to come to a solution.
Look into medication
There are many forms of medication that can help with anxiety. These could help to calm your nerves. Talk to a doctor about what medication options are available.