Did you know that fear can be transferred through your genes?
- If you think that’s scary and want to discuss what it means in your goal setting, come to our next IMPACT Goal setting workshop.
Fear is in our genes
Fear is fundamental to our survival.
Our ancestors feared predators and as a result avoided them and so survived.
Imagine a dangerous, wild animal.
Our chance of survival increases if we fear it and flee, rather than to stay and risk being attacked.
That fear changed our genes and is passed down from generation to generation.
This incredible fact was confirmed in studies carried out by Brian Dias and Kerry J Ressler published in Nature Neuroscience, which found that mice passed fear from one generation to the next. (New Scientist has an accessible article.)
So, fear is good: we need fear for self-preservation.
We all worry
I love that Martin Seligman acknowledges that he is prone to worry in his book Flourish.
Here is the person who is credited with creating Positive Psychology saying that he is not able to get over all his worries.
Seligman suggests that some people are genetically more predisposed to worry others, and that it is useful to acknowledge this, then do what you can to reprogram it.
Fear and control
Fear is often about control.
Things that take away control increase fear.
This includes events that are outside our control, such as those broadcast on the news and in social media.
So, a simple and effective way to reduce fear and worry is to reduce your exposure to negative news and social media.
An altered state of mind, for example because of drinking alcohol, reduces self-control, so can increase anxiety.
A simple way to manage this, is to avoid intoxicants if you know that you are going to be doing something that makes your feel worried.
Instead of drinking in the hope of relaxing in this situation, abstain to keep control of your emotions.
That way you can stop fear preventing you from fulfilling your goals.
The IMPACT Goal training course creates a safe environment for you to work out how to overcome your fears so you can achieve your goals.