Fight Or Flight Response - Living with Your Animal Instincts

I have 2 large dogs. And next door lives a cat that has probably used up 8 of its 9 lives tormenting them. Just outside our back door is a patio on which the cat loves to sun himself. As soon as my dogs are aware of the cat in their yard, they go completely crazy. Prior to opening the door, I always jiggle the door knob loudly to let the cat know that the dogs are about to come charging out onto that patio. He usually does nothing but look at the door. However, as soon as they through that door, the cat jumps into action, tears across the yard and flies over the fence. My dogs are strong, young and healthy -- they are not fat and old. That cat instinctively relies on his fight or flight response to protect him from danger -- which is why my dogs could catch him.

Under similarly threatening conditions our human responses would be much like those of the cat. The very second that a threat is identified, the brain releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin into the blood stream. Blood flow is directed toward limbs and muscles, awareness intensifies, the respiratory rate increases and we become physically prepared for fight or flight, as a result of these chemical changes. By its very definition, the fight or flight response bypasses our rational mind -- these reactions are instinctive.

Obviously, when there is a true threat it is tremendously helpful to have a lightning fast response to it. People have positive use for this instinctive reaction -- it is frequently the reason behind bravery and heroism when confronting a real danger.

But few people confront life threatening predators in these modern times. Much of what causes our fight or flight response to trigger are more modern in nature: Heavy traffic, criticisms from our spouse, or unreasonable deadlines. Our bodies were made to resolve threats in a way that doesn't work for these modern day triggers. Resorting to physical violence or running away from our obligations are not considered by modern society to be acceptable options.

Dealing with life's dangers is something that society demands we do in a more civilized way. Unfortunately, we can't burn out the chemicals that these dangers trigger, because we can't deal with them the way we were physically designed to.

Chronic stress can result from a chemical build up, and several adverse physical symptoms can result. Chronic stress can result in shallow breathing, panic attacks, racing heartbeats, anger, upset stomachs, chronic fear, headaches, more frequent illnesses, and muscle tension. There are many more symptoms, and the inability of the body to process through the chemicals released by the fight or flight response is the fundamental reason.

So what can we do about it?

Let's finish the story about the cat -- escaping from my dogs, he expended a great deal of physical energy. That surge of physical movement processed through the hormones that were triggered by the fight or flight response. That cat most likely found another sunny spot on his own side of the fence and resumed his nap once he was safely out of our yard. This is because the hormones that pumped through his blood stream as he fled had dissipated.

By engaging in some type of physical action when we become aware of stress we can help our bodies complete the fight or flight process. Much in the same way as the cat flying across the yard and over the fence, five minutes of vigorous exercise will help your body burn off those chemicals. Try push ups, a brisk walk around the block, jumping jacks, or jogging up and down the stairs a couple of times.

The reactions that our ancestors had to have will not work for our current-day dangers. But you can now begin to establish more effective reactions to bring yourself physically back to a calm healthy state of being, now that you know why your body acts as it does.

Come visit us at The Quiet Mind if your fight or flight response has turned your anxiety into full blown panic attacks for information, advice and self help solutions.