Author: Tara May

If you've never read the book Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky, I recommend that you pick up a copy. Its contents may be a bit scary (ironically so), but the research presented is very compelling. In the book, Sapolsky discusses why humans have so many health problems related to stress compared to animals, and how this can be attributed to the physiological stress-response commonly referred to as "fight-or-flight" syndrome. The stress-response is activated in animals only when they are at risk of "acute physical crises"—serious physical injury, predators, starvation—whereas in humans, the response is activated far more...

Most of us would agree that one of our number one fears is the fear of rejection. It often presents itself in a different light: fear of taking risks, making a change, asking a favor, asking for a raise or promotion, etc. But it's not the actual act of doing these things that we're afraid of; it's the possible outcome of rejection. What if they say no? We'll feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, silly, exposed. So we avoid asking the question at all. We let time go on, opportunities pass us by, and fear hold us in place. Not too long...