Feeling of fear is not something that we normally enjoy. Things like the appearance of supernatural beings, the presence of wild beasts near us, the sound of roaring thunder, the announcement of exam results, or doing presentation in front of many people may cause excessive sweating and increased heart race.

Fear is a common response experienced by human beings when they are in a condition that threatens their safety or success in achieving something. Although fear is not pleasant, it actually can trigger the release of endorphin and dopamine hormones in the brain. Both are healthy hormones that make people feel happy.

Without realising it, when a person feels frightened, his brain is flooded with hormones that excite the brain and trigger a feeling of euphoria. In addition to endorphins and dopamine, there is another hormone released by the brain when a person feels frightened, namely oxytocin.

Margee Kerr, a sociologist who studies the human feelings of fear, states “The oxytocin hormone helps to deepen human relationships.” She says that when someone shares a frightening experience with others, for example, being together in a haunted house, the sense of attachment, closeness, and dependence on each other increases instantly.

This proves that fear, while not enjoyable, may help a person to face and pass through stressful situations. The same thing happens in other scary situations such as giving a presentation in front of the class. The fear will make someone become more focused.

Fear will also awaken self confidence when successfully passed. Without that feeling, anything seems to be of no value because nothing is at stake. Success is more pronounced when we go through the process with difficulties against fear. "You will be stronger and tougher in facing fearful situations and conditions in the future," Margee concludes.

Text by Denistya Sagita
Stock photos from Pixabay
Source(s):

• https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2016/10/a-healthy- dose-of- fear-is- normal/
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power- slow/201307/the-benefits- fear