21/03/2024
🔍 Understanding our autonomic responses is key to recognizing when we're caught in patterns that hinder our well-being.
The 'flight' response occurs when we perceive threats or stressors. When activated, the 'flight' response prepares the body to either flee from or avoid the perceived danger.
The sympathetic nervous system becomes activated, leading to a cascade of physiological changes aimed at increasing the body's ability to escape from the threat. These changes include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, dilation of the pupils, and redirection of blood flow to the muscles, preparing the individual for physical action.
Psychologically, individuals experiencing the 'flight' response may feel an overwhelming urge to escape or avoid the source of stress. They may also experience feelings of restlessness, agitation, or anxiety. In some cases, this response can lead to behaviours such as running away, avoiding confrontation, or seeking distraction through activities like excessive exercise, compulsive behaviours, or engaging in fantasy.
While this response can be adaptive in situations where immediate physical danger is present, such as encountering a predator, it can become maladaptive when triggered by perceived threats that are not truly life-threatening. Chronic activation of the 'flight' response can contribute to long-term stress-related health issues and negatively impact mental well-being if not effectively managed.
Understanding the signs and symptoms is crucial for individuals to recognize when they are experiencing heightened stress and to implement coping strategies to regulate their physiological and psychological arousal. Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and seeking social support can help individuals manage the 'flight' response and promote overall resilience in the face of stress.
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