What does fear mongering do to us?
Fear mongering is spreading fear and panic among people. It can involve exaggerating or distorting facts. Using emotionally charged words to create a sense of danger or threat for control. Fear mongering has a huge impact on how we view things. It changes the way we see things.
When people are exposed to fear mongering, it creates anxiety and unease. For example, when something scary happens in a movie we react. The movie ends and we shake it off. But what if it didn’t end and the fear kept getting bigger and more widespread? Naturally you become on edge and maybe even a little paranoid. The human brain is designed to protect the body. Left unchecked it can lead to thoughts of insecurity and mistrust. When the brain believes the body is in danger fight/flight kicks in. That is very exhausting mentally, emotionally and physically but important if you were being chased by a lion, right? Let’s look at another example. The whole world lived as if breathing was dangerous, death was mentioned often for over two years. Panic from insecurities were left unchecked.
When people are in a state of fear and panic it is easier to believe information that is not accurate. Recall the story of Chicken Little (look it up if you don’t know). Chicken Little believed the sky was falling. She went on to tell Turkey Lurkey and the others “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” spreading panic and fear. Finally, she and her peers made it to the trustworthy king to warn him of this terrible doom. The King, a wise and honorable man, consoled the group and ended the fear mongering for all. Chicken Little was relieved and return back to enjoying life. Morale of the story: Fear and the thought of can further distort what is real. It leads to a sense of confusion and insecurity. It seems fair to say there has been a lot of Chicken Little’s in the past few years.
Don’t be a chicken
Ultimately, fear mongering can have a negative impact on your well-being. It can create a culture of fear and mistrust. Breaking trust can be difficult to overcome. Don’t be a Chicken Little. Stay brave even when you are afraid. Seek out true information from multiple sources to maintain a balanced sense of yourself.