Are you into haunted houses for Halloween fun? Not me. Do I really need someone with fake blood and a hatchet jumping out to scare me… after the past 18 months, we pretty much fear nothing. However, fight or flight is practically a routine part of daily living. Too often it can even occur in a quiet medical office. When you arrive for any healthcare they check your vital signs. I admit to ignoring them often in the cancer center. My own “costume” has been know and documented to instill fear in even the most jaded. “White coat syndrome” is real and we didn’t need a mask to make it worse.
Leon sits in front of me foot jiggling, fingers tapping and heart rate over 100. Sheila’s blood pressure is 200/100, time for the ER, but it was only 120/80 at home that morning. Ron has COPD but his respiration rate of 22 settles after we review his scans. Fight or flight is a strong life affirming and protecting process in all beings. Its part of the startle reflex in babies. We’ve all experienced that jump in heart rate like a punch. Sometimes it is completely random. On my jog this early morning, a large dark specter leaped in front of me. Along the path least lighted, I grabbed my chest and stumbled. Good thing I stopped because several seconds later the huge deer came out of the preserve going the opposite way, even closer to me. Whew! I thought my aerobics were done for the day. Fear feels terrible. Danger can leap at you even in the light, pushing you off balance. Being blindsided by an illness, injury, pain, both physical or psychological happens to everyone.
How you handle these moments reinforces your coping mechanism. If Miss Stevenson had never faced crisis how would she begin to manage her new cancer diagnosis threatening her life? How could each of us rise for the day to face challenges ahead and yet unknown? But you do, every morning because what lies ahead is so much better in your day than any brief encounter. It is a “small slice of life” as my sister says. Compare what you have achieved, managed and overcome to any insult and you will see the power you have to face fear and chaos. You can protect yourself from the scaries by not going to the haunted house. You can remain sheltered from a pandemic. You can limit your experiences. But living protected guarantees nothing. What brings you strength is practicing being bold. When you take control, your heart rate, blood pressure and respirations calm and soothe the reaction quickly. You don’t scream and cower. You have inner confidence and resilience.
On Halloween this weekend, sweet faces may choose to be painted instead of wearing masks, thank goodness. But if they come to your door, be sure to delight them by squealing and acting scared. Knowing that your own well developed armor of strength can turn fight or flight into fun and fearless. Happy Halloween!