Many people seek to get rid of fears, which is due to discomfort, shame, and the possible development of psychosomatic diseases. But in reality, nothing is created in nature without a reason, and if something exists, it matters to the life of each of us. The article provides various examples of manifestations of fear. The benefits of fear, the harm of fear are integral companions of this sensation, so whether it is worth getting rid of it depends only on the individual perception of events.
Fear in evolution
Fear is actually not as bad as it might seem at first glance. It arose in the process of evolution to protect people from environmental danger. But gradually, man managed to protect himself from possible natural troubles that threatened him during the primitive system. These could be threats from predators, wind, rain, snowfall, poisonous plants and other examples of fear.
The benefits of fear, the harm of fear are like opposite phenomena, but in reality they protect the body from possible negative external factors. Now the dangers of the primitive world are not threatened by people, but the "watchdog" often helps to maintain health and even material well-being. For example, someone who is afraid to leave home, leaving the iron on, will check several times if the cord is unplugged. This person as a result will protect himself from material damage that may happen due to forgetfulness.
Fear - salvation from danger
For the most part, people avoid strolling through the dimly lit alleys and parks at night because of fear of being attacked. Many are not tempted to swim during a storm or swim for buoys. Also, the benefit of fear is not to just twist the handle of the gas stove without lighting the burners. Not everyone can walk on high roofs, especially at the edge.
In addition, if a person was frightened by any event, he remembers him well and is guided by this information of negative experience in the future. How is the benefit of fear manifested? Examples are that we are afraid of losing the keys to the apartment, a new expensive telephone, or don’t remove a hot pan from the fire without protecting our hands. And perhaps, once a dog was chasing a child. Now this man has grown and always goes around the owners, walking their rather big pets without muzzles.
Mobilization of forces and internal experience
If a person gets into a critical situation, then his body throws adrenaline into the blood. As a result of this, the muscles receive more oxygen and nutrients, developing significant power. Forces increase, and thoughts become brighter and brighter. Without fear, entering into such a state would not have been possible. For the sake of increasing adrenaline in the blood, many people have found extreme sports for themselves. They like to completely merge with nature, feel only themselves and submit to instincts, experiencing strength in muscles and sobriety of mind.
When there is not enough information in any critical situation, it is impossible to use logic to resolve it. In those cases when the mind is confronted with the unknown, fear takes over and the body obeys instinctive behavior. Often the benefit of fear is manifested simply in flight, for example, from intruders.
Intuitive perception of the situation, fear of punishment
In a state of fright, an exacerbation of all sensations occurs: an intuitive animal anticipates the slightest hint of a threat from something. It also happens that a person becomes restless in the absence of obvious danger. This suggests signals from subthreshold stimuli. Thus, the benefits of fear are manifested, but it is important here not to overdo it with the winding yourself.
Too many people hold back inexplicable attacks of biological aggression due to possible punishment. In the modern world, it is not difficult to appropriate a thing from a supermarket or a small piece of goods from a counter in the bazaar. But the desire to maintain their honest name greatly inhibits such motives. Crimes, even small ones, are held back not because of a high level of awareness, but by a fear of responsibility.
Personal development
And the most important meaning of fear for modern man is the possibility of improving the personality. Some paratroopers noted that they used to be afraid of heights, but overpowered themselves by taking the first jump. In this case, the use of fear consists in the growth of the daredevil's self-esteem, as well as in the opening of new horizons for him.
Here are just a man with a parachute jump should be ready. You can’t force a friend to do this, whose soul leaves his heels when he rises to the 5th floor of the building. In this case, a person, once in the air, will squeeze strongly and make a mistake. But those people who are seriously engaged in extreme sports are more self-confident. Endorphins produced during exercise help them stay in a good mood, cope with stress and keep their body in good physical shape.
Harm of fear
The negative side of fear is to wind up what can happen. A person can, for no apparent reason, begin to fear some kind of disease, animals, microorganisms. These are all examples of manifestations of fear, the use of which is absent in principle, because if there is a fear of absolutely everything, then this indicates the possibility of a mental disorder. But it’s even sad when an acquaintance does not buy a new and beautiful car, which he always dreamed of, only because of thoughts about the possibility of an accident. If an adult is afraid to get up at night to go to the kitchen and drink water, then this is also abnormal.
The problem is that people are afraid of some kind of illness or disaster, but they may never happen. And carriers of such fear are expected to have reduced immunity and even diseases due to nervous system. In addition, such people are capable of rash acts that can harm them or loved ones.
The benefits and harms of fear are obvious: a healthy person should feel some fright, and when the sensations of fear become too strong, some discomfort arises. But is it really worth it to completely get rid of the "watchdog" that does its job?