The "Fight or Flight" Response

When pressures seem threatening to us, our bodies react quickly to supply protection by "turning on the juices" and preparing to take action. This physiological reaction is known as the "fight or flight" response.

In the days of the cavemen, the fight or flight response was key to their survival. When faced with a threatening tiger, for instance, a caveman had two main choices. He could fight the tiger or he could run away. Either way, his body had to prepare quickly to respond. The caveman's heart began to race, his breathing rate increased, his pupils dilated, his muscles became tense, and his mind processed information rapidly. This natural response to danger helped the cavemen to protect himself and to survive.