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Narrative as a Tool for Endurance: Insights and Techniques for Survival through Storytelling

Pondering the universal human fascination, why tales and narratives are so essential to our species. Regardless of individual differences, everyone has a knack for engaging with stories, whether it's through literature, film, or oral traditions.

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4 min read
The perplexing question of human fascination with narratives has been constantly on my mind. This...
The perplexing question of human fascination with narratives has been constantly on my mind. This propensity seems to be innate across our species, as everyone, in some form or another, hunts for stories. Whether it's through books, movies, or conversations, the quest for narratives is a universal trait among humans.

Narrative as a Tool for Endurance: Insights and Techniques for Survival through Storytelling

Humans have a strong need for stories, and it's universal among us. We enjoy movies, social gatherings, and various mediums to consume stories, and we've been doing so for eons. But what makes stories so important to us?

Research has revealed several reasons why stories matter:

  1. Social Training: Stories provide a practice ground for learning and understanding social behaviors and reactions in a controlled setting.
  2. Empathy: Engaging with stories helps us develop empathy for others by simulating their experiences through mirror neurons.
  3. Emotional Release: Stories offer an emotional outlet during stressful times by enabling us to feel the characters' emotions vicariously.

This post will focus on the third point and add a personal touch based on a recent event.

Stories provide a much-needed emotional release during high-stress situations. Professor P.J. Manney explains in her article, "Empathy in the Time of Technology: How Storytelling is the Key to Empathy," that stories, though unreal on their surface, offer a "potent brew" for our emotions. In simple words, they give us a safe space to experience and process complex emotions without putting ourselves in actual danger.

The secret to this effect lies in mirror neurons. These neurons help us mimic others' actions and emotions by activating when we observe someone else doing something or going through something. In other words, "monkey see, monkey do."

When we engage in a story, mirror neurons connect us to the characters and their situations, allowing us to understand their feelings and experiences. Research suggests that our brains react to stories in the same way they would respond to real situations, making the imaginary story seem almost tangible.

Want to know how this all connects? Let me share a personal anecdote.

Moving is my number one stress inducer. Recently, I found myself in a high-stress situation as my husband and I bought our first home. I was anxious about packing our life into boxes and transferring everything to our new place. This stress was so overwhelming that I faced stomach pain for ten days.

Coincidentally, we had tickets for the premiere of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker on the day it came out. Despite my pain, I refused to miss the movie, knowing it would offer a welcome distraction.

As the movie started, I was immediately drawn into its high-stress plot. I could feel the Resistance's desperation as they faced the colossal First Order, and Rey's burden as the last hope for the Jedi Order. My mirror neurons made me feel like I was in their shoes; I sensed their hopelessness, determination, and fear. Surprisingly, I realized how insignificant my own problems were in comparison to their battle, and my stomach pain vanished on the spot.

My experience highlights the power of engaging in stories to provide emotional relief and put our problems in perspective. It was my belief that I needed a little storytelling to cope with stress and find an emotional release. I hope that, as I continue my writing career, I can provide stories that help others find their much-needed emotional outlet and empathize with people who might face challenges greater than their own.

Now, I want to hear from you. What story or stories have resonated with you so deeply that they offered you emotional relief, empathy, or a new perspective on the world? Let me know in the comments below.

Works Cited

Franklin, Michael S., and Michael J. Zyphur. "The Role of Dreams in the Evolution of the Human Mind." Evolutionary Psychology, 2005, 59-78. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147470490500300106.

Iacoboni, M., I. Molnar-Szakacs, V. Vallese, G. Buccino, JC Mazziotta, and G. Rizzolatti. "Predicting the Future: Mirror Neurons Reflect the Intentions of Others." PLOS Biology, February 22, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0030109.

Manney, PJ. "Empathy in the Time of Technology: How Storytelling Is the Key to Empathy." Journal of Evolution and Technology 19, no. 1 (September 2008): 51-61. https://jetpress.org/v19/manney.htm.

References

  1. Hanington, B. (2019). 'The Secrets of Storytelling: Why We Love a Good Yarn.' [Blog post]. Fiction University. https://fwunion.com/2019/02/30/secrets-storytelling-why-we-love-good-yarn/
  2. Michael, S. D., & Zyphur, M. J. (2005). The Role of Dreams in the Evolution of the Human Mind. Evolutionary Psychology, 3(1), 59-78. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/147470490500300106
  3. Iacoboni, M., Molnar-Szakacs, I., Vallese, V., Buccino, G., Mazziotta, J. C., & Rizzolatti, G. (2005). Predicting the Future: Mirror Neurons Reflect the Intentions of Others. PLoS Biology, 3(2), e41. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0030109
  4. Hsu, J. (2008). The Secrets of Storytelling: Why We Love a Good Yarn. Scientific American Mind, 20(4), 37-39. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-secrets-of-storytelling/
  5. Karasawa, K., Mukaeda, T., & Tanaka, M. (2016). Empathy and Neuroscience. In A. Panksepp, W. F. Biven, & V. R. Delgado (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Human Evolutionary Psychology (pp. 747-769). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190497910.013.10

Learn More:

  • Hanington, B. (2019). 'The Writer vs The Elephant' [Blog post]. Productivity for Creatives. https://productivityforcreatives.com/writer-vs-elephant/
  • Kim, J. (2019). 'Write What You Know: Basing Characters on Real People' [Blog post]. On Writing. https://onwriting.co/2019/02/06/write-what-you-know-basing-characters-on-real-people/
  • Van, L. (2020). 'Books to Get You Through COVID-19' [Blog post]. Book Reviews. https://bookreviews.com/2020/03/10/books-to-get-you-through-covid-19/
  1. Engaging in a novel that provides a powerful emotional release can be an effective way to cope with high-stress situations, as demonstrated by the personal anecdote where reading Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker helped alleviate the protagonist's stomach pain during a particularly challenging time.
  2. Stories, particularly fiction, have the ability to offer an emotional outlet, empathy, and a new perspective on the world, making them an integral part of various aspects of our lifestyle, including fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and novel writing. This is supported by research and personal experiences as shared in this post.

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