Fight or Flight – What Will Smith has in Common with the Rest of the World

Fight or Flight –

What Will Smith has in Common with the Rest of the World

Recently, Will Smith catapulted into the spot light – not for his Oscar – but for smacking Chris Rock in the face. The audience watched in voyeuristic fascination while clapping for him. I don't know about you, but I feel like Will Smith kind of summed up what a lot of relationships feel like right now, and I want to explain this from more of a neuroanatomy level. Let’s dive a little deeper to understand what really happened.

Our neuroanatomy dictates behavior. Development Biologist, Bruce Lipton, says that you can only be in growth mode or protection mode. Your pre-frontal cortex - where fight or flight comes from - coordinates rational thought, deductive reasoning and problem solving. When you're in protection mode, this becomes inhibited, and the body stops healing because it is busy defending.

There are the three things that neurologically trigger the fight or flight response in our brain:

• Stress: This can be either perceived stress or internalized stress. You know the saying, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Words, if said long enough, put you in protection mode. After two years of being told “stay safe, it’s dangerous right now”, our minds now perceive the world as an unsafe environment. I believe everyone’s neurocognitive status is one of fight or flight after the last two years.

Are there two more?

So, what do you do to get yourself out of that fight or flight mode?

1. Exercise. I’ve been calling my weekend runs Neuroscience Saturday. These runs help me stay out of fight or flight and keep it in healing mode. It is so important to let go of trauma. Physical exercise is one way of helping your body do that.
2. Crying. Yes, you read that right. Women have a better survival mechanism compared to men because they tend to cry easily. This is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of efficiency. Crying gets a person out of protection mode so they can heal.
3. Laughter. Joy and happiness help your body release trauma. Ever heard the adage, “Laughter is the best medicine?” This is scientifically proven! So, watch a funny movie and laugh your way to healing.

One of the best things you can do to release the fight or flight response is to get regular adjustments. Chiropractic care instantaneously triggers the part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. This helps your brain reengage to pull you back into growth mode.

This Spring, Symmetry Chiropractic has been focusing on getting back into growth mode. Spring is a good time to do that, don’t you think? So, what steps are you going to do to get yourself out of protection mode and into growth mode? If you need help starting, come into the clinic and meet with one of our doctors. We would love to help you plan a healing journey.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Devin Brossard, DC