By Andi Pyatt
Special to the AFRO
“The Well” is a recurring column to remind us of the power we possess in mind, body and spirit.
It was 1986, the morning after seeing the movie “Poltergeist.” The tiny flowers on my pillowcase were discolored from my sweat and tears. My seven year old heart was racing from running all night long. I called out to my mother but the sound kept getting caught in the back of my throat. I sat straight up in my purple canopy bed, shoulders hunched, eyes blurred. I kept blinking to fully wake myself. As my vision cleared, I looked around the room for something familiar to let me know the nightmare was over. As I took a deep breath and lifted my chin, my eyes found my favorite Cabbage Patch Doll bank. Her pink dress and sweet smile, with two little teeth showing, remind me that I was awake and safe. It was then I vowed never to watch another horror movie. It wasn’t until about 30 days ago that I realized in fact, I may not have awakened fully that morning in 1986.
For much of the world, especially people of color, we feel like we are constantly running from evil. We are tired of running, out of breath, and it seems we are unable to find anything to remind us that we are safe. The fear and stress of living in this moment is creating an environment for another virus to thrive, fear.
Andi Pyatt is an educator, entrepreneur, wellness professional, and author. (Courtesy Photo)
Our response to fear begins in the mind, as a thought. The body receives the signal and adjusts to respond to what we believe is harmful to us. The response shifts energy from immune function and digestion to other systems such as respiratory and musculoskeletal in order to help us escape immediate danger. However, what if there is no need to run to escape the danger, because the danger is not physical? Instead, the fear is a thought or a fictional story we have created.
This fear reaction also leads to an increase in the flow of hormones that are received by certain brain receptors and stored as a memory. For many of us this current Covid-19 reality triggers memories that illicit this fear response. I recall the inequities I experience due to being both a woman and a person of color, inequities that pose real danger. These past memories then become the foundation for a narrative that has not even occurred. This unfortunately is the reality of many in the United States. The question now becomes how do I silence the fear response enough to be aware of potential danger while still keeping my mind, body, and spirit in a healthy state to fight or flee when necessary? The following are steps to face your fear and encourage well-being.
1.Take a Deep Breath. Inhale for four counts then slowly exhale for five counts. Complete 3-4 rounds of this deep breathing. Each time we exhale our body expels waste in the form of carbon dioxide. This process also slows the heart rate and activates the rest and relax response. This is the opposite of the fear response. The longer we exhale the more we remind the body that we are safe. The functions that were placed on pause during the fear response are able to fully function once again.
- Face Your Fear. After practicing your deep breathing, take a moment to mentally recall and write down 3-5 things you are most afraid of addressing. This can be physical, mental, or spiritual. Be honest. The way to shift your thought process is to confront your fears and choose to have a renewed response. If you find yourself physically responding to the fear again, revisit your deep breathing.
- Reclaim Your Power. Recall and write down 5-7 times you faced a hardship or challenge that you once feared but have now overcome. Recall your feelings prior to finding a solution. What led you to shift your thoughts from survival to thriving?
- Walk in Your Power. Revisit your current fears and focus on a narrative that finds a solution to those fears. You are brave and capable of accomplishing greatness.
What I learned about nightmares is that they are only as real as we allow. We have the power to wake ourselves at any time. It is time we stop running, step outside the box, and reclaim our freedom through health and wellness. It all begins with our thoughts. What will you think in this moment?
Andi Pyatt is an educator, entrepreneur, wellness professional, and author (Julia Belle) of the new children’s book, Sunflower’s Breath. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology/neuroscience from Williams College and a graduate degree in health science from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
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