What if? Suppose I fail? Will they leave me? Does your imagination create scenarios that scare you?
Why do we do that? Do we think if we imagine the worst the reality might not be so bad?
The thrill of being scared taps into our basic human psychology and evolutionary biology. We receive an adrenaline rush Fear triggers the “fight or flight” response, releasing adrenaline and other chemicals like endorphins and dopamine into the bloodstream. These chemicals create a sense of heightened alertness and energy, which can feel exhilarating once the immediate danger passes. In a safe environment, this rush can be enjoyable.
It’s time to face your audience or boss for a presentation. Feel that rush. Take a deep breath and know you are prepared and ready. You are in control.
What is the worst that can happen? In everyday life your fear won’t kill you. It can give you power. You can proudly state if I could do that what else can I do? You know you are not in real danger. The combination of fear and safety gives us the chance to feel brave and resilient. Experiencing fear can serve as a form of emotional release or catharsis. It allows us to explore complex emotions—like anxiety, dread, or excitement—in a controlled setting, helping us confront them in a less risky environment.
Confronting frightening situations and surviving them can boost self-confidence and make us feel more capable in dealing with real-life challenges. Humans are naturally curious about what they don’t understand, and the fear of the unknown draws us in. Once we face that unknown and see it for what it is we can move forward, take the calculated risks and achieve results
It’s time. Much of our fear comes from the unknown. Preparation and planning for challenging situations can reduce anxiety. Visualize success and practice mindfulness to stay calm. After facing a fear, reward yourself. Celebrate even the smallest victories as steps toward progress.
Fear often stems from irrational thoughts or beliefs. Challenge the monsters in your mind, ask yourself if they are really true, or if they’re just exaggerated. What can you affect and what just is and deal with it. Enjoy the moment
Thank you for addressing Israel and Ukraine. You can add to it: the elections local and national, especially for those of us who are part of a minority. Real is Roe being overturned and the effect this is having in states, i.e., women’s rights, and men’s too, to be in control of their own medical decisions and their bodies. Ask someone in the LGBTQ+ community threatened by their rights being taken away. We have actual evidence of what happens if we stand idly by, e.g., books being removed from libraries and schools, and subjects that can’t be taught. Efforts to rewrite history, e.g., January 6, are real. Our anxiety comes from a feeling of what we can’t control, and we project what we may be facing, the so-called “worst case scenario.” Feeling paranoid may keep us safe if we act now. Remember they waited in Germany – how well did that work? Remember McCarthy. Remember violence against our Black youth. Before it happens to you/us/others we care about, know how you plan to resist and do it now!
Thank you for the comment. There is a lot happening today that can make us afraid. We have to step out of our fear, speak up and take action when and where we can. It’s important to recognize what we can affect even small things like telling the facts. We also have to remember that we can’t let the fear control us or stop us from achieving our succeses on any level.