This content has been updated from previous article posted February 3, 2022
The Covid pandemic, which wreaked havoc in people’s daily lives, has now finally come to an end. During these stressful few years, it triggered the fight or flight response in many individuals due to the perceived threat to their health and safety. The uncertainty surrounding the virus, its rapid spread, and the potential for severe illness or death caused significant fear and anxiety.
When people encountered situations related to COVID-19, it triggered their fear response, such as the risk of coming into contact with an infected person, experiencing symptoms, or hearing incessant news about the pandemic.
That fear has created physical effects on many people’s bodies. This is because when people are faced with fearful situations, their body responds with a “fight or flight” reaction. The “Fight or Flight response” is defined as the automatic physical reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. You have likely heard of this term before.
To better understand these responses, let’s take a look at an example of how this could come to life. If you happen to find yourself face-to-face with a tiger, would you be more likely to take out a weapon and fight? Or would you lace up your best running shoes and run away – taking flight? Both reactions are considered normal for different types of people. However, there’s more to the story. In today’s society, it’s highly unlikely you will have to face a tiger, but traumatic events that involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or threat to one’s physical or psychological well-being can sometimes lead to the development of traumatic disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These events can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, causing intense fear, helplessness, or horror.