In this article, we will help you learn more about your problem, realize where it came from, learn how to erase it. By the way, we would like to congratulate you! The first step of learning how to control fear and getting rid of this problem is actually – seeing that you have a problem and you are ready to face him dead on! It might seem silly, but this is a huge step forward. You can’t go toe to toe with another fighter if you aren’t done with fear first. Let’s dance with fear now!
What is fear?
Yes, we understand that you know what fear is – but do you really?
Everyone has experienced fear. Some people are afraid of spiders, some are afraid of clowns, some of public speaking, and some of fighting. So yes, you know fear, but you know it from the inside, you know how fear feels, but understanding its definition will be of great help further on.
Fear is a feeling that can cause a metabolic change in your body and with that, it can change your behavior. It manifests with: sweaty palms or general sweat, increased heart rate, sore mouth, cold hands, etc.
Although we know fear is something bad, it isn’t always like that. Fear is implemented in us by mother nature, it is there for a reason. That reason would be – The Fight Or Flight Response.
In other words, when you are in danger, your body will react in a certain way that will help you get to safety. It can be looked at like it is our personal, internal alarm system.
However, it can have a major malfunction.
If your internal alarm system doesn’t know the difference between intense situations and real threat, it can CRIPPLE you and make you feel all of those symptoms at once. You must have wondered how people are relaxed and confident in situations that are making your “knees weak, arms heavy” (obviously an Eminem reference). It is simply because their internal alarm is working well, or because they already prepared by using the methods we will show you here.
F. E. A. R. = False Evidence Appearing Real
If you find yourself being afraid of some “normal” situations, then your brain works by the previously mentioned definition of fear.
According to recent scientific researches, most common fears are of demons, cockroaches, spiders, death, height, water. Do you see fear of fighting anywhere? Nope.
This doesn’t mean that your fear isn’t important, or that you are below somebody, oh no! It simply means that your fear has an easier cure than you thought.
Fear of fighting
First of all – relax! We hope that by now you figured out that it is normal to be afraid of something and that there is always a cure. You must understand that it is completely fine to be afraid of fighting. Today, society is shaped that way and “evolved” that way that it is really dangerous to get into a fight with somebody, and you shouldn’t! Fighting is bad!
However, there are times when you must defend yourself from a bully, or just protect someone that you love, or maybe you are a fighter who wants to go pro. Then fear must be taken care of.
You are afraid either of getting punched and seriously hurt, or afraid of getting embarrassed. Either way, the problem first starts in your head.
Now, this is why mental preparation is CRUCIAL when it comes to performing at ANY level.
You can be in the best form of your life, you can have the body of Anthony Joshua and the skill of Muhammad Ali, but if your mind isn’t right, YOU WILL LOSE! All facts here.
The way that you think shapes your reality. There is an old Chinese saying – “What you think you become.” You may answer to this – “But I don’t have time to think, I am simply, scared.”
Now that is because you aren’t connected with your body, to be exact, your body and your mind aren’t linked. You trained your mind to see things in a specific way, so now, without hesitating, whenever you do something similar, your brain will send signals through your nervous system, hyping your senses and telling you to be afraid. What we need to do is reprogram you, rewire you, whatever you’d like to call it. Here is how.
How to deal with the fear of fighting
NOTE: Not all of our advice will work on you, but some will, be patient and try what you can with faith!
Train and improve yourself
So, first thing we would like to mention is training. The more hours you put in (but this only applies if you make those hours count) the more prepared you will be, of course. If you are a boxer and you planned your entire day right, planned what to work on, how, how much, making it intense, then you are on the right track. You should always put yourself out of your comfort zone while training, so when the time comes, you have already been there and done that.
Imagine the situation you are afraid of. Is it getting cornered and then bombed with ferocious punches? Are you afraid of delivering the first punch? We can go on and on.
The point is, you should practice just that! You are afraid of being attacked by a fast guy, then get to the gym, find your buddy and practice slipping and head movement. Create that what you are afraid of and try executing. Try slow sparring, and then as you go, pick up the pace. With good training, your body will learn how to automatically react to certain situations.
Preparation will do you nothing but good.
Writing down your fear
We are returning to psychology again.
It is scientifically proven, and actually given as therapy in many cases! Writing your fears down will have a great impact on your mind and make you realize that it isn’t that much of a big deal. Getting punched in the face kind of is, but if you write it all down, it will seem like less and less of a problem. Write it down in detail, like you are talking to a doctor.
Keep it real
Always remind yourself that fear isn’t real! It starts in your head and it must end in your head. It is literally, a person’s choice.
If you live in the moment and not in the future, you will have that edge over your fear. Fear is usually in the future, making you anxious of what could go wrong and what could happen. Start thinking of what could go right! If you are in martial arts, then you are already preparing. Don’t worry so much and make the decision to not be afraid, because it is just that – your decision. Think positive, breathe, prepare, and you will do just fine.
Know that there is no right moment
Your fight is closer than you’ve thought. You prepared as much as you could, trained hard, and now it’s time. You didn’t work on something and now you think your opponent will use that against you.
Stop it right away!
In life, there are no right moments for anything. All that you can do is prepare yourself, believe in yourself, and hope for the best. You will figure it out on match day! No one is fully prepared, no one can be. Just work on what you think you should and don’t worry about the things that you didn’t have time for.
Maintain confidence
Confidence is a BIG word. If you are an athlete, than it’s your steroid. If you aren’t an athlete, well, you need it too.
Being confident is the benefit that you will get from mental preparation. Nothing blocking you, no worries, no doubts. But how do you get it?
What you can do is simply lay down, take few deep breaths and concentrate. Think of a good speech that you will be repeating to yourself while breathing and being relaxed. That is what people call – daily mantras. “I am prepared to face anything that is in front of me. I am free and strong. I am happy.” That would be an example. Notice how we always used “I AM”. I AM has extraordinary power on your psyche.
Also, avoid using negative words like: nothing, can’t etc. Select a time that you will be doing this, don’t let anyone interrupt and stick with it! It won’t work on an instant so you must be patient.
The right mindset is KEY! If you aren’t there quite yet, then ACT like it. Eventually, it will become a part of you.
Jorge Masvidal, an UFC fighter, was asked about his mindset. Read carefully what he had to say when asked “What’s the mindset?”
“I’m gonna f**k this guy up. What did you think? If you’re thinking anything else, get out of there. You can have doubts before getting in. It’s like jumping of a roof into a pool. You might look and say – Man, the jump’s a little far, but I’ve got this.”
Jorge nailed it with this explanation. Jorge, if you are reading this, congrats bro!So, you are either hunting, or laying down as prey.
You either Face Everything And Rise or Forget Everything And Run.
Know that your opponent is human
You aren’t fighting a robot, unless you are in a Terminator movie.
This means that your opponent has his own fears as well, has his own flaws and doubts that you can use. You don’t need to know everything that there is to know about somebody in order to beat him. Know yourself! Chances are, you will be fighting just a regular guy with no, or some martial arts training who just lost his temper. The same goes if you are in a ring. No one is perfect.
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These are the tips that are proven to be successful when it comes to dealing with not just the fear of fighting, but fear in general.
All you need to do is take your time, practice what we have said, and have faith. Live in the moment, live in the NOW, and stay committed to making concrete confidence. If you do some of the previously mentioned tips on a daily basis, you WILL GET RID OF FEAR OF FIGHTING guaranteed!
Another one in the books, glad that we could help, you can stop the applause now.
