An ancient response to physical threats, fight or flight would have been very valuable to our prehistoric ancestors, as they faced physical danger many times ...FightorflightSignInBycontinuingtobrowseoursiteyouagreetoouruseofcookiesandourprivacypolicy.ClickhereformoreinformationLatestjobsAboutusHealthandwellbeingOurservicesYourviewsJoinourteamNewsandeventsContactusAboutusHealthandwellbeingOurservicesYourviewsWorkwithusNewsandeventsLatestjobsContactusNorthWestBoroughsHealthcareWebsite>Healthandwellbeing>FightorflightFightorflight ContentEditorWhatis'fight,flightorfreeze'?Anybookyoureadaboutstresswillreferto'fightorflight'or'fight,flightorfreeze'asasurvivalmechanismthatpreparesyoutoeitherfightforsurvivalorrunawaywhenyou'rethreatened. It'syourbody'sautomaticresponsetodanger–aseriesofdramaticphysicalchangesdesignedtogiveyouaburstofenergyandstrength.Oncethedangerisover,systemsreturntonormalandyoubecomephysiologicallyrelaxedagain.ThephysiologicalchangesWhenyourbodygoesintothefightorflightstate,thefollowingchangeshappenautomatically:Heart:Yourheartbeginstobeatfasterandhardertopumpbloodcontainingoxygenandsugartoyourmajormusclestouseforenergy.Youmayfeelyourheartbeatingasyoubreathemorerapidly. Lungs: Yourbreathingrateincreasesandyourairwaysdilate.Moreoxygenentersyourblood. Ears: Yourhearingandallofyoursensesbecomemoreacute. Eyes: Yourpupilsdilatetohelpyouseebetter.Yourperipheralvisionisalsoheightened. Brain: Mentalactivityandalertnessincreaseforquickdecisionmaking. Blood: Yourbloodflowtomuscleswillincreasetoprepareforflight.Thebloodwillthickentoincreasetheavailabilityofclottingfactorsandimmunesystemcellsincaseofaninjury. Legsandarms: Sugarsandfatsareconvertedforuseasenergyandsenttoyourmajormusclestohelpyoutofightorrunaway.Skinandsweatglands:Sweatingincreases.Handsandfeetoftenfeelcoldasbloodsuppliesaredivertedtothebrainandmuscles.Hairsstandonendasweexperiencegoosepimples.Skincanturnpale. Salivaryglands: Thereisadecreasedflowofsaliva.Yourmouthcanfeeldry. Gutmuscles: Gutactivity