A big problem in small size - children's fears

Why are people afraid? This question can be considered both rhetorical and quite concrete. Fear is the normal reaction of the body to a stressful situation that requires maximum mobilization. At a time when we feel fear at the emotional level, a huge number of mechanisms that prepare our organism for a possible threat are activated at the physiological level. All this is debugged by nature to the smallest detail, which means that there is definitely a benefit from this kind of state. Namely: it works as a protective mechanism, preserving the whole organism intact. So let's immediately determine: the concept of "unfounded fears" is very arbitrary - always and everywhere fear has a reason for its appearance. Another thing is that this very reason can be decently enough removed from the onset of a feeling of fear.

I will explain what is at stake. The common phrase that "we all come from childhood" is forgotten by adults, as soon as situations arise, they are uncomfortable. And children's fears are just what remains in the human subconscious for many years, if not all of life. And the child gets anxiety for one reason or another not just for that, but based on his personal experience of observing the surrounding reality. For example, fear of height can arise from the experience of an unsuccessful fall, fear of darkness - from a dream that has been dreamed, fear of enclosed spaces - from an unsuccessfully chosen place for hide and seek (the closet is slammed shut). All this finds its reflection in the child's subconscious and is stored there for quite a long time, until any stressful situation will not show itself to fear in full force. And sometimes children's fears are inspired by adults themselves. These eternal "do not approach - you will burn", do not climb - you will fall ", etc. Form the child's syndrome of being in a hostile environment, in which fear is a reliable ally, because he warns of danger. There are fears of children can and when watching TV, and with uncontrolled participation in games, "shooting", and listening to adult conversations about the dangers of the world.

The latter option is a fertile ground for the development of such a phenomenon as social fears. These are concerns about price increases, an increase in the number of terrorist acts, underpayments of cash benefits, and a general deterioration in life. In Russia, social fears are already turning into mass psychoses - because if someone says that he is doing well, he will immediately make a heap of enemies: they can not go well at such times. Social fears hinder the normal development of society, forming defensive psychology among fellow citizens. Creating media anxiety in the society is facilitated by the media: either they stuff the electorate with facts from the life of celebrities (and think about why a healthy whole person should worry about the details of an intimate life of a person who is totally alien to him?), Or tell horror stories of a criminal type that happen with an enviable regularity in the vastnesses of our Homeland. So, social fear is ready: one can not go out into the street - there is a continuous crime; Only the elite live well, and we are not among them, so everything is bad around and we must wait for the next blow from fate.

And all this beauty: phobias of different kinds, social fears originate in what adults call "children's fears." What to do if they already exist?

First, create a healthy and friendly environment for both adults and children. You do not need to read newspapers (Professor Preobrazhensky said this again - remember "The Heart of a Dog"). Believe me, the main world news you will learn and so - there are short cutscenes of news blocks, the Internet, finally, the neighbors! But you will insure yourself from consuming a huge amount of unnecessary frightening information. Also, the filter must be placed on the TV: criminal news, legal proceedings - not for viewing by a healthy person. And when you have a regime, calmness (as much as possible, of course!), Stability and the predominance of positive emotions, fears will begin to recede - they do not like the environment that contributes to the development of an integral harmonious personality. And one more means of fighting fears is perfectly described in the book "Harry Potter": if you are afraid of something, laugh at it - with children this method works at 95% (the remaining percentage - clinical cases). So smile, gentlemen! Smile!