Copyright 2011  © Military Combat Stress Relief Foundation. All rights reserved.  |   Our Tax Number is 26-45 74315

Reverse  

Forward

The Military Combat Stress Relief Foundation

What Is PTSD?
Donate

 

Qualities of the Fight or Flight Response

 

"A quick and unconscious neurological response to a perceived threat that stimulates defensive behavior."

 

Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Increased respiratory rate
Higher pulse rate
Increased oxygen consumption
Increased blood lactate
Increased muscle tension
Rapid production of cortisol
Production of noradrenaline

Unconsciously elicited
Stress inducing
Outer focus of attention
Eyes wide open
Involuntary
External stimulus
Surprise, unpredicted, stimulus
Unplanned
Active internal dialog
Narrowing or focusing of attention
Sensory
Physical activity
Physical movement
From non-movement towards movement
Unlearned
Elicited by loud noise
Builds unhappiness
Increases rate of aging
Helps the individual survive and evolve
Most excitation of consciousness
Ready for most effort
Repeated elicitation may lead to use of narcotics and drugs
Experience of being at odds with environment
Attitude of resistance

 

"A quick and unconscious neurological response to a perceived threat that stimulates defensive behavior."

 

Qualities of the Relaxation Response

 

"The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress."

 

Decreased heart rate
Decreased blood pressure
Diminished respiratory rate
Lower pulse rate
Decreased oxygen consumption
Decreased blood lactate
Decreased muscle tension
Reduction of cortisol
Reduction of noradrenaline

Consciously elicited
Stress releasing
Inner focus of attention
Eyes shut
Voluntary
Internal stimulus
Daily routine or habit as stimulus
Planned
Quiet, silent internal dialog
Expansion of attention
Senses transcended
Mental activity
Physiology at rest
From movement towards non-movement
Learned
Elicited by subtle sound then silence
Builds happiness
Decreases rate of aging
Helps the individual progress and evolve
Least excitation of consciousness
Least effort
Repeated elicitation diminishes need to use drugs
Experience of being at one with environment
Attitude of acceptance

 

 

"The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress."

 

Natural
Automatic
Innate, inborn
Effortlessly elicited
Can be elicited in anyone
Can be elicited by many means
Does not requires change in lifestyle
Does not require a belief that it works
Does not requires membership in an organization
Does not require following any person or doctrine
 

The “At Ease, Warrior” program is designed to elicit the Relaxation Response
"The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress... and it is the opposite of the fight or flight response." - Dr. Herbert Benson

Our body and mind constantly communicate. Sometimes we realize it, but more often this internal dialogue takes place below our awareness in the subconscious—the mind of the body—in what is called the mind-body connection. Every thought affects our body, and every bodily sensation affects our mind. For instance, think of something that makes you very angry. Your central nervous system immediately transmits those thoughts to your body, which is now “thinking” the same thing as your mind. Your anger suddenly “makes your blood boil!” Your heart function, muscle tension, nervous system, and blood vessels undergo changes.