How to Face Your Fear of Spiders

Spiders are a very important part of the ecological make up of our world. They keep the insect population in check and provide us with a safety from many diseases that would spread if they did not exist. As such, a fear of spiders in most cases is completely unwarranted. This article will help you to overcome your fear of spiders in a safe, healthy way.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. It is a known fact that spiders save our lives every day. If spiders did not exist, we would be completely overcome by insects and the nasty sicknesses they carry. The next time you are afraid of that garden spider, just remember that he might have saved your life a time or two.
2. There are really only two dangerous spiders in the United States. The black widow and the brown recluse spiders are the only two spiders that are truly dangerous to man. There are others that can sincerely hurt you with a bite, but they are not going to kill you. Even the widow and recluse are rarely fatal to a human. These spiders, like all spiders, do not wish to bite you because it is a waste of their venom. They want to save it for their food sources.
3. Another way to help overcome a fear of spiders is to go out and see the beauty in them. If you have ever seen a broad web after a rainstorm, you know exactly what I mean. Spiders are incredible creatures and they are quite beautiful when you remove your fears. Try to see the beauty in that web, or in the spider themselves. They come in a million colors and patterns, and they are very strong for their size. Learn about them in order to like them.
4. The best way to overcome a fear of spiders is to go to a zoo and handle one. Generally, the zoo will have a pet tarantula that you might hold. These large, generally tame spiders are wonderful to look at. Though hairy and a bit large and menacing, you will quickly see that they are far from the biting machines of your dreams. They are simply creatures that want to be allowed to live their lives, just like you and me.
5. Finally, the number one way to overcome a fear of spiders is to immerse yourself in them. Take the time to study them up close. Even the black widow has been known to do everything in its power to avoid biting you. If you were to eliminate all the spiders in your city or town, you would quickly learn to love and miss them. The town would be completely out of whack ecologically and the insects would take over. What would you rather have? A hidden spider here and there, or a huge visible mass of insects buzzing around your head constantly?

Tips & Warnings

• Learn about spiders and study them up close.
• Take the plunge and handle one in a safe setting
• Observe a spider's beautiful web.
• Do not attempt to pick up wild spiders.
• Do not ever pick up or mess with a black widow or brown recluse.