Explore the mind|body connection in combat

Can you recall a moment in the Academy when you were pushed or knocked down during training?  Or perhaps you were responding to a high-risk traffic stop, that made you feel a sinking in the pit of your stomach?  Go ahead…try remembering this scene; as you visualize this scene you will feel the muscles in your back, shoulders, or stomach contract. Perhaps your breathing has changed and shortened. The images are just in your mind, yet they trigger an instant response in your body.

The fight-or-flight response or the ‘Lizard Brain’ enables us to respond to danger. However, seemingly unimportant events, such as an imagined scenario, can also cause a stress reaction because the brain is unable to tell the difference between real and imagined threats. When you focus on your fear about what might happen or play a scenario in your mind, always confront dangerous situations in your mind with a winning mind set!  It can save your life.

The fight-or-flight response built into your body was only intended to be temporary. Once the danger has passed, the body is meant to return to normal functioning. Obviously, Police Officers cannot avoid a crisis as they are exposed to critical incidents much more often.  Police Officers often are confronted with situations where personal feelings and responses need to be contained–for losing one’s personal face, by screaming or throwing a tantrum would not be acceptable.  Suppressing the normal fight-or-flight response in this way means that the chemicals coursing through your body have nowhere to go and no way to dissipate.  When there is constant psychological and emotional pressure and no outlet–the body and mind can become compromised. By becoming more aware; understanding the bodymind relationship and utilizing relaxation techniques, such as hypnosis, you can put your bodymind–at ease.

For related article go to:

The ‘Lizard Brain’ and Police Officer Safety by Doug Wyllie, Editor in Chief of PoliceOne