A stress response to a dangerous situation is adaptive
A stress response to a dangerous situation is adaptive.
If we need to evacuate or to fight something off, the body mobilizes a lot of energy. This is an evolutionarily adaptive and appropriate response. It also tends to be surprisingly strong. It is not comfortable. It is not comfortable to reside in a state like this. Recognizing the autonomic nature of these responses, there are some simple things we can do to support our bodies in the midst of difficult experiences.
In order to do this effectively, it helps to be able to discern whether or not our body is moving into a fight-or-flight response – which is likely to be high energy and mobilized. Or a shutdown response – which is likely to be immobilized and numb.
These are physiological responses, which means that, although they have psychological impacts, the location of their occurrence is in the body.
One way of conceptualizing trauma is as accumulated stress, so during periods of time when we know that the bodies adaptive responses include defense, it is useful to continue to metabolize these energies as best as possible.
This means continuing to move them through us. If these are fight-or-flight energies, this can mean allowing the body to move.
If they are shutdown energies, it can mean when we get safe enough to allow ourselves to do it making space and time to allow ourselves to process. Shutdown happens when we are overwhelmed. It is characterized by a backlog of processing.
Here is a simple and helpful exercise (SCOPE) from the good folks at Somatic experiencing. A brief and effective way to triage some of the initial response of dealing with a major threat.
Sending wishes of safety to everyone in the Los Angeles area & for that matter anywhere people are dealing with distress.