Psychologist Dr Eleanor Bryant has explained why confronting your fears can boost your confidence, including getting lost, riding rollercoasters and public speaking.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone
Dr Bryant, from the University of Bradford, suggests that people often spend too much time in their comfort zones, missing out on chances to learn things about themselves they wouldn't otherwise know. She highlights that facing situations that feel intimidating, and discovering how you cope with them, can help build confidence.
She encourages people to get stuck into something they're scared of but would like to do – such as braving a Halloween maze, asking someone on a date, or wild swimming. Her remarks coincide with her collaboration with Alton Towers Resort for its annual Scarefest event, which offers immersive scare mazes and attractions designed to challenge visitors to face their fears in a safe setting.
The Psychology of Fear
Dr Bryant stated: "People often stay in their comfort zone because they know the parameters. They know what will happen. The unknown can be terrifying because people don't know how they'll cope with the feelings that come with it. However, if all your life is spent in your comfort zone, you may miss opportunities to reach your full potential."
She added: "The more you take small steps outside your comfort zone, the easier bigger challenges become. If there is no significant harm in doing something, do it. People can often look back on their lives and regret missed opportunities for happiness and excitement because they've spent too much time existing within a safe little bubble."
Dr Bryant explained that part of the allure of rollercoasters and scare attractions is something psychologists call "benign masochism", which involves voluntarily opting for experiences that feel frightening or uncomfortable despite knowing there's no real danger. She said: "Benign masochism is essentially choosing to experience something that feels scary, uncomfortable or threatening while knowing you are ultimately safe. You get all the anticipation, fear and adrenaline that come with the experience, but you also get the relief afterwards. That journey from fear to relief is a huge part of why people enjoy it. For some people, it's the adrenaline itself they enjoy. For others, it's proving to themselves they can do it."
Building Confidence Through Experience
Dr Bryant also believes many people underestimate how adaptable their brains are and how quickly confidence can grow once they begin exposing themselves to manageable challenges. She said: "One of the reasons stepping outside your comfort zone can be so powerful is because our brains are incredibly adaptable. We know from neuroplasticity that we can continue learning throughout our lives and create new pathways in the brain. Whether it's learning to become more confident, more self-compassionate or simply less fearful of something, our brains adapt to the experiences we expose ourselves to. The more often we do those things, the less intimidating they become. People often assume confidence is something you either have or you don't, but confidence is built through experience. If you repeatedly challenge yourself and discover you can cope, eventually your brain starts to expect success rather than fear failure."
Howard Ebison, vice president of Alton Towers Resort, added: "Dr Bryant's comments highlight something many people can relate to - that some of life's most rewarding experiences often begin with taking a step outside your comfort zone. Scarefest gives people the chance to experience that unique feeling of overcoming a fear in a completely safe environment. Whether it's stepping into a scare maze, riding one of our thrilling rollercoasters after dark or simply doing something they wouldn't normally do, guests often leave with a real sense of achievement."
