It might seem counter-intuitive to deliberately frighten ourselves, but doing something small each day to challenge our sense of fear is good for us. In therapeutic terms, this is known as ‘exposure therapy’ and can help us, over time, to face up to larger fears.

“The benefits of exposing ourselves to scary experiences, whether they’re ‘micro’ or more intense, are numerous,” says Dr Goddard-Crawley. “Regularly engaging with scary or uncomfortable situations expands our comfort zones, making us more adaptable and open to new experiences.”

They build self-esteem

Think back to the last time you achieved something that frightened you. Maybe you had to give a presentation at work or you took a new class at the gym on your own. The chances are, once you’d done it, you felt pretty good about yourself.

“Conquering small fears can lead to increased self-assurance and belief in one’s abilities,” says Dr Goddard-Crawley. “This will often translate to other areas of life, making us feel more confident and capable.”

They improve resilience

Resilience is a vital life skill, and it’s one that we can work on and build. Studies show that resilience enhances our ability to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life – something that we can all benefit from. And micro-scares are a great way of building resilience.

“Facing our fears in controlled environments helps build mental and emotional resilience,” says Dr Goddard-Crawley, “making us better equipped to handle life’s challenges and uncertainties.”

Are ‘micro-scares’ the key to better mental wellbeing?