Fight-or-Flight Responses

Definition

This is an automatic physiological reaction to stressful or threatening situations. It prepares the body for physical action - either fighting off danger or fleeing from it.

Analogy

Imagine you're hiking and suddenly see a bear. Your heart starts racing, your senses sharpen - this is your body's fight-or-flight response kicking in, preparing you either to confront the bear or run away as fast as possible!

Related terms

Sympathetic Nervous System: Part of our nervous system that increases heart rate and blood pressure while slowing digestion during stress situations – it’s like our body’s emergency response team.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine): A hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress – think of it as fuel for your fight-or-flight engine.

Stressor: Any event or situation that triggers stress responses – these are like alarm bells ringing for your fight-or-flight system.