Aquaphobia: How to Overcome the Fear of Water?
Jul 21, 2022
Water is essential to human life, and it is tough to avoid contact with it. However, “Aquaphobia”, having severe fear when seeing or thinking about water, is a very real condition affecting many people worldwide
During summer, watersports is a common activity, and it’s a season where water is more closely celebrated everywhere. Unfortunately, dealing with aquaphobia in such times can be unpleasant and restrict you from enjoying many summer activities with your friends and family.
Regardless of where the fear originated, logic doesn’t enter into it, and thankfully there are many ways you can overcome your fear of water with the proper guidance.
Start By Talking About It
Although it may sound scary and embarrassing, the best way to overcome any fear is to admit and confront it head-on. Start talking about it with people you trust and who you know care about you. Talk about what aspect of water scares you, how you feel about it, and how you try to manage it. When you get comfortable talking to others about your fears and anxieties, you have taken the first step to overcome them.
Walk Near The Water
Even if it may sound like the opposite of where you want to be, try to do it. You don’t have to get too close. Just standing or walking near a pool, beach, or lake is a great baby step to touch your fear and acknowledge it. Then, try to watch watersports like jetskiing and flyboard from the shore, see how people enjoy it, and manage themselves in the water.
Be Patient With Yourself
Not just for aquaphobia, be it any fear, patience is key to overcoming them. Of course, there can be times when you can’t exactly explain your fears, but that doesn’t make it any less for you or your body’s visceral response.
Give yourself enough time for your mind and body to become acclimated to sensations that once caused you fears or anxieties. Try not to criticise any perceived failures, and be kind to yourself throughout this overcoming process. At the end of the day, trying to face your fear on its own is an enormous achievement.
Practice Deep Breathing
Hyperventilation is a common response to any phobia or panicked situation. When you can get a grip on your breathing and start to manage your fear, you have conquered a metaphorical mountain. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that deep breathing and breathing exercises are integral to yoga for stress management. It is a clever way to trick the brain into thinking you are more relaxed than you think.
On the other hand, getting into a relaxed state releases endorphins which can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and also heavy breathing. All these effects give you more focus and attention to face and manage your fear.
Work With An Experienced Watersport Trainer
When you feel like you’re making slight improvements, working with a professional and experienced watersport trainer is a brilliant next move. You can probably start by engaging in beginner-friendly watersports like jet skiing or swimming.
Having an experienced trainer assures you of your safety throughout the process, and they know how to handle you when your fear starts to strike. Gradually they can also help you continue to move forward until you achieve a particular stage where your fears have been controlled up to a convincing level.
