Do You Have a Hero?

“Look up to your heroes, not down at your haters.”  — Matshona Dhliwayo

Heroes are important. Either in fantasy epics or actual history, they provide us with ideal examples of morality, strength, courage, and honor. Across cultures, there are countless examples of someone standing up to do what is right, often against all odds. As it turns out, having a hero helps all of us to step up and do the same.

Heroes act as a beacon to help us be the best version of ourselves. Participants indicated that thinking about a hero (relative to a leader or acquaintance) during psychological threat fulfilled personal enhancement, moral modeling, and protection needs¹. Benefits go farther than psychological reassurance though. Research suggests reminders of heroes when experiencing mortality threat increases our perceptions of personal power². When keeping a hero in mind, people were less likely to engage in unhealthy habits. Therefore, simply thinking about your hero(es) fosters the ability to better survive and thrive³.

Heroes come in many forms. Some wear capes and fly, while others successfully raise a family as a single parent. Pick a hero who has meaning to you and will help motivate you in hard situations. Think of why they are influential to you and what qualities you would like to emulate. Then, live as if you are someone’s hero, because you might be.

Action: Pick a hero that inspires you and find ways to adopt their strengths in your own life.

Further Reading:

1. Lay perspectives on the social and psychological functions of heroes
2. Benefits of heroes to coping with mortality threats by providing perceptions of personal power and reducing unhealthy compensatory consumption
3. In Pursuit of Important Goals: Nostalgia Fosters Heroic Perceptions via Social Connectedness