We have all heard the phrase “Fight or Flight” but do you really know what that phrase means in terms of our health and well-being?

Most people imagine a harrowing situation where a quick decision is needed to avoid danger or, in the extreme, to prevent death. This is true in the primal sense of the phrase. Humans, just like all living creatures, are designed to survive and avoid danger at all cost. A great documentary showcasing primal fight or flight is “My Octopus Teacher.” Well worth the watch for the entire family.

While many species share similarities in how they have survived and evolved, this article is about humans. What makes us different from the gazelle crossing the Zambezi River or the abundant red squirrel crossing Fort Hill Road is that humans have evolved to a point where immediate survival is not a constant in our minds on a daily basis.

In 1800, the life expectancy for humans was 29 years, globally. In 1950, it was 46 years, and in 2015 it was 71 years (source: ourworldindata.org). It’s fair to say that humans have done quite well over the years. But have we? Sure, we are living longer, but what about our quality of life? We are alive but are also reporting record numbers of long term illnesses and chronic conditions such as Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Obesity, Anxiety, and Depression.

Let’s dive into the world of “Fight or Flight” as our body sees it. Our bodies have this wonderful Nervous System that includes the last frontier of research: the brain and the ever so important spinal cord which acts like the super highway for communication (think Interstate 95). Anything outside of this network is considered the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), which is all the nerves branching from your spine to every single part of your body. The PNS is the messenger for the body/brain connection. The PNS tells the brain, “Hey…I just touched a hot pan with my bare hand, what should I do?” Then the Brain processes this information and tells the body what to do via the PNS.

Within the PNS is a set of specialized nerves that control all of the body functions that we are simply not aware of on a conscious level. These nerves control the vital functions that keep us alive. They are further divided into the Sympathetic (aka Fight or Flight) and the Parasympathetic Nervous Systems. The Sympathetic System says, “just keep me alive at this moment, I do not care what the long term repercussions are for my body.” Conversely, the Parasympathetic System says, “Let’s keep all my body’s vital organs in good working order because I will need them for a long time.”

When we go about our days in a state of constant stress, we are living in a fight or flight mode. Though immediate survival is not at the top of our conscious thinking, we do experience a sympathetic response to some extent. These stressors come in many forms like fear, worry, anxiety, and fatigue. In today’s world, especially with the pandemic, this is even more apparent. Over time these stressors can affect our health and well being in a negative way.

There are countless ways we can inhibit our fight or flight response. One of my favorites is unplugging devices, turning off screens, and going outside to enjoy nature. What is the best method for you? Ask yourself, what makes you slow down? What makes your muscle tension melt? What makes your breathing slow and your brain calm? Start there and repeat the process often.

Robert Lavoie, D.C., CCSP® is the owner of Chiropractic Clinic of Gorham.