How we respond to stress - Part 1

Stress is an inevitable part of life, and how we respond to it can significantly impact our well-being. When we navigate the liminal spaces in our lives, we can sometimes hold onto binary thinking and get stuck in a cycle of fear and failure. 

In part one of this two-part blog series, we will explore the cycle of fear and failure and the stress responses fight and flight. 

The Cycle of Fear and Failure

Transitions in life bring about a unique blend of discomfort and challenges. The uncertainty accompanying change can trigger a deep-seated pressure to get it right, to navigate the liminal spaces flawlessly, without error. This fear of making mistakes looms overhead, intensifying the stress we experience. This pressure, coupled with the binary thinking of a one-shot mentality, further threatens our sense of safety. 

The belief that we only have one opportunity to succeed creates a heightened state of vulnerability, amplifying the stakes and magnifying our fear of failure. In order to navigate these challenges, we have to recognize and understand our stress responses. By gaining insight into how we react in the face of stress, we can consciously choose healthier and more adaptive ways of coping, ultimately fostering a greater sense of well-being and resilience.

Stress Response: Fight

The response to fight when threatened or under stress is deeply ingrained within us. When confronted with stress, people exhibiting the fight response tend to adopt a mindset of control, striving for perfectionism, and engaging in power dynamics. The underlying goal is self-preservation at all costs, driven by a fear of vulnerability and a need to maintain a sense of power and dominance. 

This response can manifest in assertiveness, aggression, or even passive-aggressive behaviors, all aimed at protecting oneself from perceived threats. It’s important to recognize that while initially serving as a defense mechanism, it can also lead to interpersonal conflicts and emotional exhaustion. 

Stress Response: Flight

Flight can manifest in both obvious and subtle ways as people seek to escape the pressures and discomforts they face. In its obvious form, flight may be characterized by physically removing oneself from stressful situations or environments. Flight can also take more subtle forms, such as mentally escaping from situations which may look like excessive worrying, over-analysis, or becoming consumed by workaholism.

These behaviours serve as avoidance strategies, allowing individuals to distract themselves from confronting the underlying stressors. While flight may provide temporary relief, it can perpetuate a cycle of avoidance and hinder personal growth.

By recognizing these responses and understanding their impact, we can break free from the cycle of fear and failure.

Remember, we always have the power to make conscious choices in how we respond to stress and navigate life's transitions.

Stay tuned next week for part two of this blog, where we will examine freeze and fawn and how our society impacts stress.

Content sourced from CA Jalonen’s Liminal Life and repurposed by RetroScripts.