The first time I heard the phase, “fight or flight” was at a wellness and holistic conference a couple of years ago. It did not dawn on me that I use this method to deal with stressors in my life. These responses did not solve my problem and I felt like shit because my blood pressure was up. Why do we react this way to stressful situations? Let’s take a closer look at the “fight or flight” response.
Why do we fight?
We fight to survive. It could be a breakup, a misunderstanding, or a disagreement. Most of these situations can be solved by explaining yourself. When one fears they cannot live without a spouse or material thing, they fight to keep it. A person or thing does not define who you are. You will live if your car is repossessed or if you break up. You might not like the situation, but you will live. Don’t argue when you feel threaten. Find a way to express yourself without the drama.
Why do we flee?
This is one of my favorites. I don’t like dealing with uncomfortable situations, so I stop working on that situation and start a new one. This only makes matters worse. One never solves problems by running. You have to stand strong and weather the storm. It is not okay to stop paying your bills or to start a new relationship without ending the old one.
Don’t fight or flight.
Deal with the situation. Journaling is a great way to plan strategies. Take a deep breath before approaching your problem. This helps you think clearly. There are solutions or resolutions to every problem. By not using these responses, you will survive and deal with your situations with a level head.
