In today’s environment, stress has become a constant. Whether it’s due to world events, work pressure, money, family issues or unexpected events, chronic stress triggers the body’s natural response known as “fight, flight, freeze or fawn.” Although this primitive survival mechanism is crucial in life-threatening situations, it can hinder the healing process. Understanding the impact of “fight or flight” on our ability to heal is essential for achieving optimal well-being.
The Subconscious Mind’s Role in Healing:
To really understand the connection between the fight/flight/freeze/fawn response and healing, we must explore the subconscious mind. This powerful aspect of our psyche influences our behaviors, emotions, and physical well-being. When we experience chronic stress, the subconscious mind perceives it as an ongoing threat, triggering the stress response. In this state, the body prioritizes survival mechanisms over healing processes, redirecting energy and resources away from restoring balance and rejuvenating the body.
This core issue may be the single reason you are not seeing progress in your healing journey or are stuck in an anxiety-focused mindset.
Our breathing becomes shallow, glucose is released into the blood, the hormones cortisol and adrenaline increase, and digestive function slows dramatically. To prevent these responses, we need to learn how to switch back to a parasympathetic state.
So how do we do that? There are a few ways.
Deep Breathing and Mindful Practices:
One of the simplest and most effective ways to calm the nervous system is through deep breathing and mindful practices. By consciously slowing down and deepening our breaths, we activate the body’s relaxation response, known as the parasympathetic nervous system. This response directly counteracts the fight or flight mode, signaling the body that it is safe to heal. Engaging in activities such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi can further enhance the relaxation response and promote overall well-being.
Brain Retraining:
Harnessing the power of the subconscious mind, brain retraining offers a valuable tool for calming the nervous system and facilitating healing. Through this meditative state, individuals can create theta brain waves and access the subconscious mind directly, allowing for positive suggestions and imagery to be imprinted on a deeper level. This process helps reframe stress responses, reduce anxiety, and promote a state of deep relaxation. By retraining the brain’s response to stressors, hypnosis empowers individuals to overcome the fight or flight mode and embrace healing.
In most chronic illness cases, individuals are responding to treatment and eating the right foods. But they are stuck because of an overactive nervous system, which hinders the body from moving forward in the healing process. However, by understanding the role of the subconscious mind and implementing effective techniques to calm the nervous system, individuals can overcome this obstacle and support their healing journey. Deep breathing and mindful practices as well as brain retraining are just a few of the many powerful methods to counteract the fight or flight response and promote healing. Embracing these techniques empowers individuals to cultivate a state of relaxation and well-being, allowing their bodies to heal naturally and holistically. Remember, true healing begins when the mind and body are in harmony.