The Flight Response: Understanding Your Body's Natural Reaction to Stress
Humans have an innate response to stress, danger, or perceived threat, known as the fight or flight response.
While the fight response is characterized by aggression and heightened anxiety, the flight response is characterized by the urge to escape or withdraw.
In this blog post, we'll dive into the flight response, exploring what it feels like for the person experiencing it and what others might notice when interacting with someone operating in flight mode.
What Happens in the Body During the Flight Response?
When our body perceives a threat, the amygdala, the almond-shaped portion of our brain that controls our emotional responses, sends a signal to the hypothalamus to activate the fight or flight response. The flight response is characterized by the release of adrenaline, which increases our heart rate, dilates our pupils, and increases our breathing rate. This response prepares our body to either fight the threat or run from it.
What Can You Expect When You're Operating in Flight Mode?
When you're operating in flight mode, you might feel several physical sensations, including:
Rapid heart rate: Your heart rate increases to pump more blood and oxygen to your muscles in preparation for running.
Shallow breathing: You might start taking shallow breaths, making you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
Numbness or tingling in your limbs: Adrenaline can cause a tingling sensation, preparing your arms and legs for movement.
Sweating: As your body prepares for flight, it will start to sweat to regulate your body temperature.
Trembling: Your body might start to shake or tremble, a physical manifestation of the adrenaline and nervous energy coursing through your veins.
What Can You Expect When Interacting with Someone in Flight Mode?
If you're interacting with someone who is operating in flight mode, you might notice a few things, including:
Withdrawal: Someone in flight mode might become more withdrawn, avoiding interactions or leaving a situation if they feel threatened.
Decreased eye contact: The person might have difficulty making eye contact or looking directly at you, as they might feel overwhelmed and need to withdraw.
Nervousness: They might become visibly nervous, fidgeting, or shaking, a physical manifestation of the adrenaline and nervous energy they're experiencing.
Difficulty speaking: They might struggle to articulate themselves, as their thoughts might be racing and their mind consumed by the urge to escape.
How Can You Help Someone Who is Operating in Flight Mode?
If you're interacting with someone who is operating in flight mode, there are a few things you can do to help them feel more secure and supported:
Create a safe space: Encourage them to step away from the situation or remove themselves from the source of their stress. Create a calming environment by offering them a glass of water, finding them a quiet place to sit, or simply holding space for them to be.
Validate their feelings: Let them know that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and that their feelings are valid. This can help them feel heard and understood, reducing their stress levels.
Encourage self-care: Offer them suggestions for self-care activities that can help them feel more centered and calm, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or a warm bath.
Help them process: If they're feeling overwhelmed, help them process what they're feeling by encouraging them to talk about their experience and feelings. This can help them make sense of what's going on and begin to feel more in control of their emotions.
Avoid overwhelming them: When someone is in flight mode, it's important to avoid overwhelming them with too much information or too many demands. This can trigger their stress response even further and make it harder for them to calm down.
Listen actively: Take the time to listen to what they say and show them that you're there for them. Ask open-ended questions, acknowledge their feelings, and let them know that you're there to support them.
Remind them of their strengths: Help them remember their strengths and past experiences that have helped them successfully navigate difficult situations. This can help boost their confidence and reduce fear and anxiety.
Encourage professional help: If their stress levels are impacting their daily life, it might be beneficial for them to seek professional help. Encourage them to reach out to a therapist or counselor who can provide additional support and tools to help them manage their stress response.
It's important to remember that the fight or flight response is a natural, automatic response to stress. You can help them feel more supported and less overwhelmed with patience, empathy, and understanding. With the right support and resources, anyone can manage their flight response and feel more in control of their emotions.
Want to know more about the body’s stress/trauma responses? Read the posts about the fight, freeze, and fawn responses.
Are you struggling with managing your stress and trauma responses? If so, it's time to take control and seek help. Schedule a free consultation. You'll have the opportunity to discuss your specific situation and learn how working with Robin might help you effectively manage your responses.