The three main reactions to stress

I was reading my colleague Alain Samson ‘s newsletter this morning as I waited in the studio to do my TV column in Ottawa.

One sentence in particular caught my attention.

He quotes Henri Laborit, a French physician, surgeon and neurobiologist who made his name by popularizing neuroscience.

According to Henri Laborit, under stress, individuals tend to react in three main ways: flight, aggression or immobilization.

He also says that, in the face of threat or intense stress, immobilization is the least energy-intensive response for the body.

My experience

I’ve observed that, depending on the situation, I too will react in these three ways.

For example, when I look at the clock and I’m slightly off time, I tend to want to run away. As in walking faster, driving faster, moving more. So here, it would be running away.

In other circumstances, I “freeze”. Unable to speak, to move, to think. Faced with shocking news, for example. It’s as if everything comes to a standstill. Immobilization.

As for the aggressive reaction, I’m sure you can think of several situations where we become downright aggressive and impatient. Sudden movements, clenched jaws, louder (or higher-pitched) voice.

All these reactions are due to perceived stress. Fascinating.

Depending on the situation, we all react this way. Flight, aggression or immobility.

So and so. I repeat, these are the three main reactions! That means there are others.

What could it be?

Hmm… I think about how I want to cry sometimes when it’s a bit too much. Or what a few people tell me – that they can’t stop laughing when they’re going through something very stressful.

Laugh or cry.

Two reactions that release some of the tension generated by the situation. There’s an immediate sense of liberation after laughing as well as crying. And I use both too!

The idea is not to judge ourselves (or anyone else) but simply to observe that humans all react in certain ways, and that we have many reactions in common.

And that’s interesting!

What’s YOUR answer?

Escape? Aggression? Or immobilization? Laughing? Tears?

Have a nice day!
Laughter, joy and health

Linda