As individuals, employees, colleagues, supervisors and employers, mental health remains a major concern in the animal health industry. David Robson’s article may resonate in current situations, with individuals in our lives or our own experiences.
Feelings of uncertainty can bring acute discomfort, and even trigger anxiety disorders. Our deep fear of the unknown not only scares us, but it can scramble our brains.”
People who score high intolerance of uncertainty tend to show heightened stress responses to uncertain situations. Intriguingly, they also tend to find it hard to unlearn fears once safety has been established shares Robson.
Source: BBC Worklife, October 25, 2021. Link. Our brains are constantly trying to predict what will happen next, allowing it to prepare the body and mind in the most effective way possible. In uncertain situations, that planning is a lot harder. And it’s not just the uncertainty of a threat that causes discomfort. We’re also reluctant to place ourselves in potentially profitable situations if they involve an element of unpredictability.
INSIGHTS: With gentle encouragement to step outside comfort zones, individuals may find the feelings are not nearly as bad as they fear and that a small amount of chaos in their lives can even offer an opportunity for learning and growth.