"Fight" or "Flight" Response

So the question for today is this . . . are you a "fight" or "flight" person in today's crazy world?

We "ALL" do it . . . so what does this mean???

Well . . . the "fight" or "flight" response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is "perceived" as stressful or frightening.

You see . . . the "perception" of a threatening activity . . . activates the sympathetic nervous system (limbic system) and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to , . .

"FIGHT" or "FLEE"!

But guess what???

There's even 1 more part to this action or reaction . . . and that would be . . .

"FREEZE"

Okay . . . so let's better understand . . .

There are 3 stages to any stressful situation in life . . .

ALARM . . . which is also called the "stress response" occurs when we "first perceive" something as stressful. And with this . . . the body initiates the "fight or flight" response.

RESISTANCE . . . is when the "perceived" stress continues and the body stays activated at a higher metabolic level in an effort to offset the persistent stress.

And EXHAUSTION . . . is when the body can no longer deal with this stress and therefore starts to breakdown and malfunction. This leading to a suppressed immune system which can lead to health issues and illnesses such as heart disease, digestive problems, depression and diabetes.

So how does this all work you ask???

Well . . . a good example would be . . . when we come in contact with a stressful situation such as the political upset in our country today . . . the body's sympathetic nervous system (limbic system) is activated by the sudden release of hormones from the adrenal glands which triggers the release of catecholamines including adrenaline and noradrenaline.

And this is why . . . so many of us are in an "upset" state in our life.

Now . . . when the stress of "perception" occurs . . . remember what we spoke of the past few days . . . "perception" is just what we "think" is happening . . . not necessarily the "reality" of a situation . . .

The body's heart rate and blood pressure increase, the skin becomes pale or flush, pupils become dilated, you feel on edge, tenseness or trembling sets in, you may have the urge to pee and memory may be affected. Meaning . . . we are now in a state of not thinking logically or rationally.

Our "perception" has now taken over "reality.

And with this . . . as with our forefathers . . . when that sabretooth tiger was ready to attack . . . we had to make the decision to "fight or flee".

So . . . can we control our brain and the trigger of "fight-or-flight" response??

Absolutely . . . and it's done by controlled breathing and trying to focus our thoughts on the "reality" of the situation. "Not" your "perception" of the situation.

Okay . . . so where does the "Freeze" part come into this???

Well . . . when the body is unable to decide on "fight" or "flight" in any given situation . . .

It picks "freeze"!

A good example would be . . . when a child isn't able to fight or run from perceived danger . . . they'll go into panic mode . . . which can make that person numb or immobile in the fact of the stressor.

So the final question for today is this . . . due to this pandemic, virus, masking or political stand . . . are you stuck in "fight", "flight" or "freeze"???

Tomorrow we'll continue.

As always, feel free to DM or contact me at: miraclemeadows.net/contact/