Fight or flight; that's not right

Our bodies still think we live in the jungle. The snakes are bills, bosses, complicated financial news, health insurance issues, friends committing suicide, etc. Our bodies initial responses are to fight or flight. Both of these responses only escalate the problem, escalate the stress, and escalate the risk of relapse. When given stressful news that appears threatening, the first step to sobriety is just absorbing the blow, and not reacting. No need to immediately intellectualize a response; just absorb it until the instinct to fight or flight passes. If these instincts don't pass, call someone safe like a sponsor or friend to discuss the problem. This strategy will keep the problem from becoming trouble. Fight or flight does not work as well as compromise.


To-do:

Imagine the stress is a snake. Most snakes are harmless. In any event, you don't need to run away or lash out at it. Just gently support your head and breathe slowly and the snake will be hypnotized. We can't do anything productive when we are stressed out. We must let it pass. Only when the instinct to fight or flee passes can we think of a rational, sober solution to a problem. According to "As Bill Sees It," page 250, Bill W. used to lengthen his daily walks and slowly repeat the Serenity Prayer in rhythm to his steps and breathing when under acute tension. Do not try to fight or flee a problem by using. It never worked before and won't work now.   See: https://tinyurl.com/oneminserenity