Signs You Might be Stuck in 'Fight or Flight'

A few years ago, I was living in a state of ‘flight or flight’. A steady state of low-level (and sometimes high-level) stress that I just couldn’t seem to shake. Eventually, it became my norm. Whilst my body was trying to tell me that something was up, I largely ignored the signs – brushing them off as ‘normal’ or thinking they would simply disappear once life became less busy…

But of all the things I’ve learned since qualifying as a Health Coach, it’s that listening to symptoms, as our body’s form of communication, and addressing the root-cause of symptoms head-on is nothing short of essential.

So, here are a few signs that you might be stuck in fight or flight* – so you can tackle your health head-on & optimise your wellbeing from a position of empowerment.

*Remember, we are all individuals - so, our experiences when it comes to stress are unique. The signs below aren't the only ones which could be indicative or stress, nor are they exclusively related to stress. Always speak with a professional one-on-one if you have any concerns.

Trouble falling asleep and/or trouble staying asleep (e.g., waking up at 3am). When we are stressed, we release additional cortisol – a hormone which helps us stay alert. So, trouble sleeping (despite feeling tired) could be a result of excess cortisol in your system.

Our stress response causes a number of hormonal changes in our bodies. If we only experience these hormonal changes for short discrete bursts, we tend to deal with them ok. However, when we are ‘stuck’ in fight or flight for too long, we may experience more significant hormonal consequences. For example, women can experience changes to their menstrual cycle such as worsening PMS symptoms and irregular or heavy periods. 

Mindlessly reaching for snacks/sweet treats to ‘get you through’ your never-ending to do list – this is something that past-me can certainly relate to!

It’s thought that cortisol impacts our metabolism, satiety signalling and blood sugar levels – so, being ‘stuck’ in a state of fight or flight (meaning that cortisol levels are consistently elevated) may lead to increased cravings and a dysregulated appetite. 

Bloating, indigestion, IBS symptoms…

When we are living in a state of ‘fight or flight’, our bodies think that we are facing a threat. So, they adapt to give us the best chance of escaping it - which in principle is helpful, right?! E.g., we send energy to our muscles and feel more alert (in the short term). At the same time, we down-regulate bodily systems which aren’t so important for escaping a threat (including our digestive system). This means that we tend not to digest our food so well in a state of stress. So, frequent digestive symptoms could be a sign of elevated stress levels.  

If you otherwise feel like you’re living your life on x2, this could also be indicative of elevated stress levels. This may look like:

• Listening to podcasts/voicenotes on double speed

• Using the TV/radio/music for constant background noise

• Running > walking around the house

• Speed walking to the shops (when in reality there is no need for urgency)

  
  

So, if any of the above sounds familiar, I see you. From someone who's been on the journey themselves, trust me when I say that cultivating a life in which you feel calm, vibrant and energised is completely possible – but it starts with listening to your symptoms. The most powerful thing you can do is to do something. Learn to work with your body to create the life & the health that you deserve. And if you’d like a helping hand in taking those first steps, I’d love to help. Simply schedule a catch-up below & we'll discuss exactly what you're looking for.