Many things fall under the category of “dreadful,” including impending deadlines, work meetings, unpleasant phone calls, and so on. The point is that dread is inevitable, but there are ways to manage it. Let’s discuss!
What Is Dread?
By definition, dread is a great fear or apprehension. And while that sounds, well, dreadful, dread isn’t necessarily all bad. According to psychologist Ali Mattu, “The purpose of dread is to help prepare you. It’s to help you think about what might happen. It’s to help you take actions that you can right now.” When you think about dread in those terms, it’s not as scary and awful. Unfortunately, we can’t snap our fingers and take away all your dread, but there are things you can do to deal with it.
Feel the Dread
Pushing away your feelings only means they’ll build up until they explode over something silly. If you’re dreading something, acknowledge it.
Let It Live
Give yourself time to feel the dread, then move on. Schedule your dread time, then collect yourself and move forward. This way, you’re not ignoring your feelings, but you’re also not letting them consume you.
Get Your Words Out
Sometimes, the easiest emotional dump is on paper. Grab a journal or notebook and write down all of your feelings. If writing isn’t your thing, you can draw about it, dance about it, or sing about it – there is no wrong way to express these feelings.
Take a Break
When your mind starts spiraling, it can feel really heavy. Instead, do something to distract yourself from those thoughts. This could be reading a book, going for a walk, or doing a puzzle. This isn’t a long-term solution, but when dread moves in unexpectedly, sometimes we need to be occupied by something else before we take it on.
Eat, Sleep, Hydrate, Repeat
Things might not seem so bad once you’ve eaten a nutritious meal, slept, and drank enough water. Taking care of your physical health can have a significant impact on your mental well-being, making it easier to manage your dread.
Pencil In Your Dread
If you dread a particular event or task, plan for it the day before. Think about how you can reduce your stress. Ultimately, you have to choose what works best for you, but if you need an iced coffee and a stroll around your favorite bookstore after the task, then so be it.
Challenge Your Dread
Take a step back to think about what you dread and the probability of certain scenarios happening. For instance, if you’re dreading a work meeting, ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” You may find that most situations you’re imagining will likely never happen, or even if they do, they might not be as bad as you think.
Consider Professional Help
If the dread is becoming overwhelming, seeking professional help is a valid and effective option. A mental health professional can equip you with mindfulness-based practices, calming strategies, and more, helping you regain control and find relief from your dread.