WHAT IS FEAR?
Fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. It is a survival mechanism that send signals to our bodies to respond to immediate threats, causing physiological changes that may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting of aggressive response or fleeing the threat.
As any human on earth, when we are afraid of someone or something we activate the 5 F's (freeze, flight, fight, fright, or faint) we also (tend-and-befriend) meaning turning to others for help to make the situation less tense, dangerous, or uncomfortable.
Experiencing fear is natural and normal, it is a way to protect ourselves from harm and in that state, we are capable of doing things we thought were impossible.
Scenario: You are sitting on the couch and a huge spider is crawling on your living room floor and you're the only one home, in that moment you're petrified it's either run away and the spider could still roam around, or you could kill it. You would do what any individual in that situation would do...
See! There has never been the slightest thought in your mind to commit arson out of fear, but it was either you are the spider ha-ha. I don't blame you. (flight and fight)
Another scenario (very common one): You are walking through your neighborhood and a vicious dog starts to chase you, you immediately begin to run the fastest you've ever ran and jumped over a fence and landed on your feet or jumped on top of the nearest car without stumbling or falling off, and you've never attempted those stunts before.
This clip is a scene from the hilarious, comedic film Next Friday that was released (Jan. 2000), it is a great example of (fright, flight, and fight) as well as (tend-and-befriend).
Contains foul language. Watch at your discretion.
THE PROLONGED EFFECTS FEAR CAN CAUSE ON OUR BODIES
Immune System Dysfunction (ex. weakened immune system, inflammation)
Autonomic Nervous System Alterations
Sleep/ Wake cycle disruption
Eating Disorders
Cardiovascular Damage (ex. stroke)
Accelerated Ageing and Premature Death (ex. cardiovascular disease)
Mental Health Disorders (ex. clinical depression, PTSD, anxiety, and fatigue)
THE EFFECTS FEAR HAS ON OUR MIND AND SPIRITUALITY
Fear can alter our emotional state to the extent we become dissociated from family, peers, spouses, and most importantly ourselves. We sometimes experience phobic anxiety and mood swings; depending on the severity of fear we've encountered. You may begin to question your spirituality, for instance questioning God and creating a bitterness or disgust for God or religion.
Have you ever heard someone say or you might've blurted it when you experienced a horrible situation? "If God is all around us, why do he allow bad things to happen?" This is a great example of someone questioning their spirituality or belief that God exists because of the harmful events they've endured without having protection by the one whom they pray to and worship.
Fear can alter everything attached you emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually if you allow it. In some cases, it's more severe and you have to seek professional help. Seeking help to break free of the shackles fear has over you is greater than falling into a depression, mental breakdown, and anxiety. The process may seem impossible or challenging, but it's certainly possible and necessary.
To learn more here are some referenced articles:
Thanks for stopping by! I hope this was helpful to many of you dealing with some form of fear, meet me in the comment section to discuss some of the fears you've experienced and how it affects you, I would love to hear it! :)
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