Leaves are turning, and the colors of fall are everywhere. Halloween decorations are steadily increasing, and October is full of fun and spooky things. Many people love Halloween and having their skin crawl or their hearts race as they get scared by haunted houses or creepy movies. Fear is powerful; it spikes our adrenaline and prepares our bodies for fighting or flighting. While it is a rush for some, it is a crippling feeling for others.
Traditionally, fear responses were fight or flight, but now the freeze response has been added. When fear triggers the freeze response, it can be detrimental to the person as it prohibits their ability to act and combat the situation. This can be applied to the mental health aspect as fear can cause significant worry, anxiety, depression, and, in more extreme cases, phobias can develop. Fear is a stress response to a specific stimulus, and it can build to unhealthy levels, just as all forms of stress can (Heid, 2022).
Unhealthy stress levels can result in:
Increased blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Poor respiration
Negative impacts on the immune system
Increased inflammation
Muscle Tension
Headaches
Feelings of nausea
Anxiousness
Depression
Feelings of panic
Sadness
Diminished cognitive ability
As you can see, fear has an intense impact on both the physical and the mental side of an individual’s health. Fear is an entirely natural phenomenon, and it does serve a purpose (Heid, 2022; Stress, 2024). We need to remember that so we can take a positive attitude in addressing fear as we work to prevent it from controlling us. Be open with yourself and others about your fear and recognize your symptoms to identify triggers better. From there, you can challenge unnecessary negative thoughts and engage with relaxation techniques as you learn to understand yourself better and your fears and how they intertwine (Stress, 2024).
If you ever feel the fear is becoming burdensome, unhelpful, or even detrimental, please seek additional help and support! No one should have to live in fear, limiting their ability to pursue a healthy and happy life.
References
Heid, M. (2022). All About Fear: How It’s Connected to Health and How to Face the Ones You Have. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/all-about-fear/
Stress: What it is, Symptoms, Management, and Prevention. (2024). The Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11874-stress
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