As Halloween rolls around, all things spooky and scary are on everyone’s mind. Alongside height and public speaking, being buried alive is a pretty common fear. As explained by an ABC news article, an upcoming event on A&E will feature three contests who, on live television, will be held in buried coffins equipped with cameras. According to the network, the stunt is meant to help people confront fear and depression, and it is already generating a lot of hype.
Magee Kerr, a sociologist who studies fear, explains that when we confront our worst fears head-on, it can bring out the best in us. Kerr says that the physical reactions to triumphing in a fearful situation, such as endorphin release and a sense of accomplishment, can have a positive effect and make conquering a fear a good experience. The next time you find yourself at a scary horror movie, try to get all the way through; it may be good for you.
Comments 1
J.D. — October 15, 2015
In our chronically bipolar culture of 'too much' versus 'too little,' perhaps some moderation would be useful here? "When we confront our worst fears, it can bring out the best in us." -- Doesn't exactly apply to fears of rape, murder, dismemberment, falling over a cliff onto jagged rocks, cancer, being robbed at gun/knife-point, venomous insects and animals, etc. There are useful and necessary fears that keep us from being traumatized, maimed, and/or killed, and then there are ones which keep us from living our lives more fully (this is an important distinction to make). Finding out which category our fears fit into would be a good first step, before facing our fear of say, death, head-on...and taking a premature dirt nap. After all, if the "best in us" is our spleen, wouldn't we rather it not be 'brought out' -- say, into daylight, or onto the pavement by our car? Because, quite frankly, what sane person would want to face their fear of cancer, bouncing down jagged rocks, rape, or rabid animals? Personally, if some general anxiety is the price I have to pay for not ever knowing the thrill of juggling knives, covering myself in venomous spiders, or walking through the bad part of the city at night...I think I'm ready to accept and embrace that anxiety. In fact, I may even invite it over for dinner...