Fight or Flight

There's nothing like an impending "threat" to get your adrenaline rushing and heart pumping. In the days of skin togas and cave dwellings, threats were most likely large hungry animals or rival tribes. In today's world, a threat could be a menacing person, a sudden problem or crisis, or even something as seemingly docile as a test. It stands to reason that in a stressful situation and faced with a threat, our "fight or flight" instincts take over. In this day and age, "fight" could sometimes translate as facing a problem or threat, and flight could signify either literally fleeing or just general avoidance of a stressful situation.

I can't say I've ever faced a serious threat by another human being, such that I needed to decide whether to make a run for it or unsheathe my claws. A friend of mine, however, had a close encounter and a firsthand taste of this ancient and animal response mechanism. She was walking home at a late hour in a reputably safe neighborhood. As she was walking, she felt that she was being followed. When she turned to see who was behind her, the person shifted to one side so as to escape her line of vision. My friend quickened her pace, and the person behind did so as well. At first, my friend was concerned about hurting the man's feelings and making him feel like a stalker, when perhaps he was just a fellow on his way home as well. She even considered digging around in her purse and letting him pass her by. Then her natural "survival" instincts got the better of her, and her gut suggested to her that that story would not have a happy ending. She picked up the pace, and cut through a well-lit gas station to try and shake the guy off her trail. Alas, he cut across as well, which was the last straw. My friend broke into a run towards her house, managed to jam her key in the lock and turn it without delay, and entered the house like a bullet, slamming and securing the door behind her. A close call, to be sure, and I'm glad her flight response served her well.

Whenever I've had important tests, job interviews, or high pressure situations looming in the future, I never get a good night's sleep the night before. Is there anyone who sleeps like a baby before a big day with a great deal riding on their performance? If so, I'd like to know their secret. Even so, despite always getting an awful night's sleep the night before a high-pressure day, my performance has seldom suffered. Why? I can only assume that I have adrenaline and my "fight" response to thank for that, which manages to keep me alert and active with sufficient energy to face whatever is coming my way. I'm reminded that we as humans feel that we are sophisticated and highly intelligent creatures above all others, which often leads us to forget that we are highly evolved and ornately decorated animals.