"Rapid changes in technology, economics, and politics, and the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic have undermined our sense of security, bringing record levels of fear and anxiety worldwide (Kruglanski et al., 2025; World Health Organization, 2025). Reacting with fear puts us into survival mode, causing us to respond to a perceived threat with fight, flight, or freeze. While this reaction may save our lives in an emergency, in daily life, it can undermine our effectiveness and well-being."
"Research has revealed that experiencing positive feelings during stressful situations can bring you a sense of control over your life and help you overcome traumatic experiences (Berrios et al., 2018). As psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, has found, positive emotions can broaden your ability to think clearly and creatively, enabling you to discover new possibilities and build your personal resources, "ranging from physical and intellectual resources to social and psychological resources" (2001, p. 219)."
People are experiencing rising insecurity and anxiety due to rapid technological, economic, and political change and lingering pandemic effects, producing record levels of fear worldwide. Fear-driven reactions trigger fight, flight, or freeze, activating survival mode that shuts down higher brain centers and impairs clear thinking and constructive action. An undercurrent of anxiety increases threat expectations and can cause misinterpretation of cues and interpersonal hostility. Experiencing small positive feelings during stress restores a sense of control and aids recovery from traumatic experiences. Positive emotions broaden cognition, foster creativity, and help build physical, intellectual, social, and psychological resources. Small, practical steps can increase happiness and well-being.
Read at Psychology Today
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