Wellness
Your Body's Alarm: The Fight or Flight Response
Discover the fight or flight response, your body's ancient survival instinct, and learn why managing it is key to modern wellness.
What is it?
The fight-or-flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to a perceived threat, also known as the acute stress response. First described by Walter Cannon, this survival mechanism is triggered by the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare your body for intense physical action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. This surge of energy readies you to either confront the danger ("fight") or escape to safety ("flight"). It is a fundamental survival instinct that has evolved to protect us from harm.
Why is it trending?
In modern life, this response is often activated by non-life-threatening stressors such as work deadlines, traffic, or social pressures, rather than physical dangers. There is growing awareness in wellness and mindfulness that chronic activation of this system can be detrimental to health. The constant state of high alert contributes to rising rates of anxiety and stress-related disorders. As a result, people are increasingly seeking mindfulness and relaxation techniques to better regulate their body's stress response and improve their mental well-being.
How does it affect people?
While essential for survival in genuinely dangerous situations, frequent activation of the fight-or-flight response can negatively impact health. Chronic stress keeps the body in a state of high arousal, which can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and digestive problems. It can cause feelings of being constantly on edge, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Recognizing the triggers and physical signs of this response is the first step toward managing stress and mitigating its long-term effects.