How do you get used to e.g. walking alone in the forest?

Realistically your husband is at a much higher risk than you

Why do you say that?

Consider the outfit. Wear sensible footwear for walking on rough/wet terrain without slipping stumbling; (not sandals) don't wear earpods or a hood that covers your ears, don't wear a scarf round your neck. Carry your keys and phone zipped in an inside pocket.

If you are really, really anxious, carry a personal alarm in your pocket. Now you know you can always instantly attract attention/summon help, no need to worry.

Consider your behaviour. Don't walk listening to music or staring at a phone. Don't walk with hands in your pockets. If you meet people just nod and say goodmorning (a calm greeting signals normal social confidence).

Consider how you move. Walk at a steady, comfortable unhurried pace in the middle of the track. Head up. Feel your breathing and enjoy it. Take in scents. Listen to the birds. look around with pleasure; observe the plants and trees. By being aware of nature your sight and hearing is also alert to loose dogs , bikes, the footsteps of runners, distant voices, people ahead and behind. You'll soon start to recognise regular walkers, dogs, joggers.

Set yourself an easy achievable target; walk for 20 minutes then head for home. As you get fitter you can walk for longer and further ; walk more briskly, swing your arms.

What specifically are you scared of? (Genuine question).

Are you scared of being attacked by a man. Scared of getting lost and risk of exposure? Scared of getting injured where you are not near people who could help? Scared of animals? Scared of “spooky/creepy” things?

If you can identify what it is you are scared of it will be easier to make a plan to tackle it.

I understand your anxiety, but objectively it is more an irrational anxiety than one based on statistics. I would start small and work from there, as advised above. Avoid walking when it’s dark and perhaps start somewhere a bit busier on a Saturday morning rather than midweek when places are empty.

for what it’s worth, I’ve walked alone almost daily for the past 30 years (roughly from age 10) pre dating mobile phones including through very empty rural woodland and the larger London wooded areas and I’ve never encountered any real threat (although I used to spook myself as a teenager thinking of ghost stories!)

I borrow my friends big dog. I don't feel safe in the woods alone.

I suspect you are at more risk of being in a serious car accident than being attacked when out for a run but you still get in a car

You are certainly more at risk in your home than outside it

Risk perception is barmy round here

I wouldn't, better safe than sorry (or dead)

I grew up in the country so I’m happy to do this.

I think it’s incredibly sad that women don’t, especially as the reality is it’s pretty safe.

However, you feel how you feel, and you don’t want to tangle yourself up in this and not actually get exercising.

Can you join a running group or find an exercise partner and try some gentle baby routes as a PP says?

I guess beyond that the main thing is just not to pass the fear on to any daughters you have.

Realistically your husband is at a much higher risk than you

But You have been taught from an early age to be scared , and all around you people will tell you it's dangerous whereas boys aren't taught to think like that

Small steps - plan a route that doesn't go far, let your dh know, you could even agree to message him at regular intervals ( for a sneaky walk ) until it starts to feel normal

Don't go at the same time
Learn who is normally about

I love walking/running through the woods/forest on my own, have my headphones on too! I don’t go when it’s dark because I’d not be able to see a thing, but I find it really liberating to be honest. Just a feeling of being totally alone with my thoughts and listening to music.
Maybe as a pp said, borrow a running dog if you think it would help having some company.

Can you run anywhere else instead? Somewhere a bit more inhabited?

I walk for hours through the country side near us on my one (or with dogs). Tbh the incidence of crime in the rural countryside is vanishingly low. I rarely see another person.

Maybe take the pressure off about running and just start doing walks for now. I don't agree with others that it isn't safe to walk as a lone woman in the woods. Maybe do some short walks to start with, perhaps on the phone to someone as a distraction? I reckon you'd relax once you get used to the setting the fear is likely worse than the reality.

We live near a forest and l wouldn't run or walk there on my own. I think it's wise not to. When l am there with dh and we meet a woman on her own right out in the middle with no one else around l think: it wouldn't be me. Do what you are comfortable with only. Nothing else . It's supposed to be a relaxing fun activity not a scary prospect.

I live near a river and canal and run regularly with my mates but stick to roads on my own. It’s ridiculous I know but I’m too scared.

Buy or borrow a dog to take with you? Join a walking/jogging group for company?

When we went to Canada I was really nervous on country walks - scared I was going to get eaten by a bear! I think I'd be a bit dubious in the UK if it was woodland with wild boar. It's not irrational to feel you are being watched - birds, deer, squirrels - eyes everywhere LOL.

We have a naked jogger around here that people sometimes encounter (he wears shoes and in the winter a woolly hat ). Evidently he just give a polite hello as he passes and is completely non-threatening. I think the main peril around here are the idiot cyclists that bomb along footpaths (where they have no business being) and don't even bother to warn of their presence by ringing their bells.

Personally I would join a group and if you become more confident later go out on your own.