For people who have fears or phobias, psychologists now have modern treatment in addition to psychotherapy. They use virtual reality to help people combat their anxiety. If you are afraid of crowds, you will be placed in a virtual situation where you will be surrounded by people, and this will help you face your fears and overcome them.
We found that it is not always necessary to address our fears, as they can actually help us in many ways. Let’s take a look at how a good amount of fear can help us succeed in life.
Fear Helps You To Lose Weight
Feeling a little scared burns more calories than when you are not afraid of anything. As our pulse races, our body experiences a rush of adrenaline. Our metabolism speeds up and sugar and fat are burned in the process.
In one study, physiologists at London’s University of Westminster found that when people watched horror movies like The Shining or The Exorcist, they burned up to 113 calories, which is the same amount they would burn in a half-hour walk.
Fear Boosts Your Immune System
In some surveys conducted by Coventry University in the UK, participants watched a horror movie. The researchers then took blood samples from these people. The results showed that a feeling of fear triggered the activation of their white blood cells.
These are the types of cells that help you fight disease and repair your body. The more white blood cells you have, the stronger your immune system will be.
Fear Gives You A Sense Of Empowerment And Strong Motivation
Not only is adrenaline released when you feel fear, but also other chemicals such as serotonin. It helps your brain function more efficiently, which is why fear is actually energy.
For example, if you are a runner and you follow the same route every day, you will quickly get used to it, but when you find a new place where you get a little scared and really need to focus, your brain will start working in the best way. Our brain craves new challenges.
Fear Bonds You To Other People
When you feel fear, oxytocin is released, a hormone that helps you build relationships with the people around you. We all have the instinct for survival and this leads us to pair up with other humans to overcome danger.
A perfect example of this is when people huddle together on the couch while watching a horror movie.
It Gives You Focus And Concentration
Thinking about the future or something unknown can be enough to scare you. If you’re feeling a little worried or anxious about it, along with the adrenaline, which keeps you stressed, another hormone known as norepinephrine is released, keeping you focused instead of panicking.
It allows clearer thinking in stressful situations, which is why it is used in many antidepressants.
We live in a world of constant distractions, like watching TV or surfing the web, and a little fear helps us to be fully awake and focused.
What fear or phobia do you have? How do you fight it?
