Likewise, fear is a powerful motivator that helps us stay safe when we sense we are in danger. And as long as that fear doesn't become overwhelming or irrational, it can be a very good thing: If you have a healthy fear of that bear, that cliff, that whatever, you'll steer clear of it, the thinking goes.
"Fear serves a purpose, but if you're always fearful, you have a problem," Carducci says. "One of the biggest things we have to learn is that we're not alone, and chances are pretty good that someone else has also experienced that same fear or problem." Connection to others, he argues, can be a powerful tool in keeping fears in check and in perspective.