Navigating Modern Stress—Understanding the 'Fight or Flight' Response Picture this: you are driving when a car suddenly cuts into your lane. Your heart pounds, muscles tense, and you react in a split second to avoid a crash. That is the fight-or-flight response—our brain’s ancient survival system, wired to protect us from immediate threats. While this instinct once served us well, today it can backfire. In a world filled with injustice and constant stress, reacting from the primitive “survive mind” can trigger impulsive, irrational—even dangerous—behaviour. Left unchecked, this survival-driven response can overpower our empathy and fuel actions rooted in fear and division—from hate crimes and violent protests to systemic racism, police brutality, and terrorism. Understanding the 'Survive Mind' and 'Thrive Mind' The 'Survive Mind' The 'Survive Mind' refers to a state dominated by the fight or flight response. In this mode, our reactions are sw...
A Compendium of Concepts