Mindful Monday- Fight, Flight or Just Uptight?

“...in modern life we overuse the “fight, flight or freeze” response because we respond to many situations as if they are life threatening when actually they are not. As a result, our nervous systems don’t have time to recover because we are activating this response too frequently.”

~Linda Lantieri

 

How does your body feel today? Do you realize that how your body feels is often a reflection of the thoughts you think the most?

Have you ever noticed that when you think a stressful thought your heart beats faster, your muscles tighten, your breathing changes? Most of us have gotten so used to feeling stress to varying degrees that we don’t even realize we are stressed at all. It just feels normal. 

 

Potential stress triggers can arise from internal dialog such as:

I should have...

I forgot to... 

I better not…

I need to...

I have to...

 

Each thought of worry or pressure, big or small, triggers the release of stress hormones to rouse the body for emergency action. It hears “protect yourself from danger”, even if the “danger” is only imagined. It’s as if you’re a soldier on the battlefield, constantly protecting yourself from making a mistake, doing it wrong, messing up, losing ground, being alone or being without. What danger are you projecting onto your future if you fail to “act accordingly”?  

 

Imagine for a moment how much energy it takes to be that hyper vigilant so frequently. Imagine the exhaustion of always being on guard.  Eventually, the habit of thinking and believing stress inducing thoughts takes its toll on your physical well being. 

 

So what do you do about it?

 

You get mindful. 

You notice. 

You choose more friendly thoughts. 

You trust. 

You let go.

 

Next time you notice yourself worrying about something; stop, give yourself a hug and then remind yourself that even if things don’t work out exactly the way you imagine they should, you are still safe. Ask yourself; How would I respond to this if I believed I live in a Friendly Universe?



Try these thoughts or come up with some of your own. 

• It’s safe to honor my own rhythms
• I can trust things will work out.
• I don’t have to do it alone. I can ask for help.
• If I make a mistake it’s not the end of the world.
• Etc.

 

Save the Fight, Flight or Freeze for your next safari. You deserve peace, comfort and kindness. 

 

Why not give it to yourself starting today?

Change your thoughts. Change the world.