Recruiting
Retention
Rewarding
Recognition
Ph.D. Gregory Bodenhamer Mechanicsburg Pa
blood flow can be re-oxygenated. The blood carries oxygen to the
muscles, allowing them to work harder. Deeper breathing also helps us to
scream more loudly!
• Fat from fatty cells and glucose from the liver being metabolized to create
instant energy.
• Blood vessels to the kidney and digestive system being constricted,
effectively shutting down systems that are not essential. A part of this
effect is reduction of saliva in the mouth. The bowels and bladder may
also open out to reduce the need for other internal actions (this might
also dissuade our attackers!).
• Blood vessels to the skin being constricted reducing any potential blood
loss. Sweat glands also open, providing an external cooling liquid to our
over-worked system. (this makes the skin look pale and clammy).
• Endorphins, which are the body's natural pain killers, are released (when
you are fighting, you do not want be bothered with pain–-that can be put
off until later.)
• The natural judgment system is also turned down and more primitive
responses take over–this is a time for action rather than deep thought.
Modern effects
Unfortunately, we are historically too close to the original value of this primitive
response for our systems to have evolved to a more appropriate use of it, and
many of life’s stresses trigger this response. The surprises and shocks of modern
living leave us in a permanent state of arousal that takes its toll on our bodies,
as described by Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome.
It also happens when a creative new idea makes us feel uncertain about things
of which we previously were sure. The biochemical changes in our brain make us
aggressive, fighting the new idea, or make us timid, fleeing from it.
So What?
Watch out for angry red faces, cold and clammy skin, signs of a dry mouth,
increased breathing rates and jitteriness from activated muscles (in yourself, as
well as others).
When others are thus aroused, they are not thinking straight and can be
manipulated. You may even want to provoke them into this state. They also may
become aggressive and unpredictable, so on the other hand you may want to
avoid getting them into this state!
If you get wound up yourself, stop. Get out. Use any excuse to go somewhere
and calm down.
See also
General Adaptation Syndrome, Safety, Control, Threat forecast, The dog
temperaments
Cannon, Walter B. (1914) The emergency function of the adrenal medulla in pain
and the major emotions. American Journal of Physiology 33: 356-372
Cannon, Walter B. (1932). The wisdom of the body, 2nd Edition, 1939, Norton
Pubs, New York
[img][/img]
