Survival Instinct During Times of Crisis

18 Mar Survival Instinct During Times of Crisis

As a function of safety, survival instincts are triggered when circumstances threaten us. When we are in crisis and in times of uncertainty and change, our survival instinct seizes control of the mind and body undermining focus, thinking, decisions, and our health. We don’t recognize it as a primitive power and understand the impact it has on us. The good news is through understanding our own nature and self-awareness we can self-manage in new and empowering ways to shift, reset and be responsive to the most difficult circumstances.

Circumstances are temporary – all circumstances.  The duration and strength of those circumstances are influenced by how we; you and I; and all human beings react or respond. The reaction is our survival instinct compelling us to act against or resist something. It is activated in response to a stimulus which typically produces more reaction. The ability to be responsive comes from deliberate and purposeful thought and action.

How do we shift from impulsive reaction to being able to respond?

Pause and breathe – deeply! It is both simple and complex. As soon as your brain has more oxygen, you have the capacity to self-manage. The more oxygen you give your brain, the greater capacity you have created to think. Once you are doing the thinking instead of instinct, you can recognize the threat for what it is. Instinct has us act as though a sabre tooth tiger is in front of us.

When you have shifted ever so slightly, and continue to do so, instinct lessens its grip. As it does you now can think, and you have personal power. Personal power is always available to us. It takes practice and discipline to self-manage.