Fear and the resilient response

How people cope with fear is a key determinant of their resilience.

While for some, fear can be a paralyzing experience, for others, resilient individuals, it becomes a signal that, while uncomfortable, does not impede action and can even be energizing.

The Innate Reaction. Fight or Flight

When humans perceive a danger or threat, the body instinctively and effortlessly activates a physiological response known as "fight or flight".

This reaction, initially discovered and described in the field of psychology, prepares the organism to face the threat directly (fight) or to escape from it (flee).

The release of certain chemicals in the body is part of this automatic response to perceived danger. This reaction is essential for survival.

The Resilient Attitude to Fear

Resilient people are not characterized by the absence of fear; it is perfectly normal and acceptable to feel fear in threatening or unfamiliar situations. The difference lies in what they do with that emotion.

Rather than allowing themselves to be paralyzed, resilient people acknowledge and accept their fear, but do not allow it to dictate their actions in a limiting way.

When fear appears, a resilient strategy is to share it with people you trust, such as friends or family, for emotional or even spiritual support.

In some cases, seeking support from a group can also be extremely helpful in processing the fear and finding ways to overcome it.

Fear as a Source of Energy

In certain contexts, fear can act as an energizing factor. Professionals such as firefighters, police officers or healthcare workers in crisis situations face fear on a constant basis.

For them, fear can become a source of alertness and motivation that drives them to act for the benefit of others, despite personal risk.

In these situations, the purpose of helping others can give new meaning to fear, turning it into a catalyst for courageous action.

Coping to Overcome

The key to resilient coping with fear is precisely to face it. Resilient people do not systematically avoid feared situations.

Rather, they address them, actively seeking ways to overcome them. It's about accepting the emotion of fear and then asking yourself what actions you can take to manage the situation and achieve a positive outcome.

This active confrontation is what diminishes the power of fear and strengthens one's capacity for resilience.