>> Why We Have This Emotion
Spooky feelings are often followed by intense fear. Because we don't understand the situation, we can't judge how safe we are, which triggers our natural safety reflexes.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Get to safety if needed, then assess
- Take a moment to calm down
- Take slow, deep breaths
- Stretch or walk off the adrenaline
- Calmly examine the real threat level
- Look for the simplest explanation
- Get support and input from others
Bad Ideas
- Assume that anything you can't fully explain is supernatural or "a sign"
- Investigate when there's real danger
- Hide away and stay alone
- Repeatedly ask others "am I okay?"
- Hypervigilance until exhaustion
- Catastrophize to feel more prepared