Anxiety
January 25, 2023

Overcoming Your Fear in Extreme Activity

Participating in an extreme activity is an item on the to-do lists of many people. For a variety of reasons, they've been unable to check off that task yet. One reason could be fear. While having a healthy amount of fear about activities that come with risks is certainly reasonable, individuals should also be honest with themselves about how realistic that fear is. There are other ways to eliminate, or at least reduce, the fear so an activity can be enjoyed. 

Talk to Past Participants

A smart way to relieve fear is to talk to people who have participated in the activity before. For example, speak with individuals who have gone skydiving or attended the Georgia Rodeo. Ask questions about what their experiences were like and if they perceived any safety hazards. The best approach is to speak with trusted relatives and friends for more honest opinions. However, people can also look on reputable review sites too. 

Take Safety Precautions

While no one can guarantee complete safety, there are plenty of ways to reduce the risk of harm. People who are going to participate in extreme activities should conduct a thorough risk assessment. Gathering information from family and friends is useful, but it's also important to speak with instructors, representatives, or other staff members at the facility. Only a professional can truly provide the right safety recommendations and requirements. Individuals can feel more confident when they go into the activity prepared for any potential safety issues. 

Leave if Necessary

Some extreme activities are impossible to leave once they start. When people go skydiving, for example, they can't change their minds and turn around after jumping out of the plane. However, there are other activities that offer a more flexible exit. Individuals who are going to a rodeo for the first time can ask about securing seats that are close to a safe exit.

Simply having the option to leave at any point can make worried people feel better about trying out the activity in the first place. Try not to let anxiety win. In other words, upon seeing the exit, some people might immediately try to leave. Of course, if a true safety threat exists, getting out of the space is a smart idea. However, instead of getting up and leaving as soon as the exit is spotted, people should challenge themselves to stay longer. 

Just Get Started

The hardest part of conquering many fears is taking the first step. Many people who are able to take that initial step can then get more comfortable with the activity. Sometimes, people will even back out once they have arrived at the arena or facility. Try simply walking through the door or taking a seat at the event. Once the extreme activity begins, some people become so focused on what a good time they are having that they forget all about the fear that they once felt. In fact, there are individuals who find that the extreme activity is one of their new favorites, which all starts from taking the first step. 

Participating in an extreme activity can cause a lot of people to feel some level of anxiety. Letting this anxiety take over and ruin the experience, though, can have even more adverse effects. People should challenge themselves to participate in extreme activities in safe ways.