What Happens to your Brain and Body When you are Scared?

Last year around this time, we wrote about how to deal with the disappointment of Halloween being canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, many of us are looking forward to a spookier Halloween with some more traditional trick-or-treat options and maybe even some Covid-friendly Haunted Houses. After a majorly modified Halloween last year, we are more than ready for a big scare factor– right?!

That got us thinking about what exactly happens to our brain and body when we feel scared. And why it can be helpful for everyone to understand how this important emotion works.

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Cognitive Strategies to Combat Covid Fatigue

Covid fatigue, also known in popular media as pandemic fatigue, does not involve being physically tired. Rather, Covid fatigue is a complex group of emotions that involves any combination of the following:

  • Boredom
  • Loneliness
  • Sadness
  • Frustration
  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Resentment

It is important to realize that most of us will experience one or more of these emotions at different times throughout this challenging pandemic. This is normal and to be expected. Covid fatigue is only problematic when it leads to undesirable behaviors and actions that violate public health recommendations. For example, people who feel lonely and bored might seek out large social gatherings like large parties or crowded bars. People who feel anger and resentment at local health recommendations or restrictions might reject social distancing or mask guidelines.

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