When A Bee Flew Into My Car

Our fight, flight, freeze reaction is very powerful. The sympathetic nervous system produces a powerful cascade of events with uncomfortable symptoms such as elevated heart rate, increased respirations, and tunnel vision on the perceived danger. Our body literally prepares to fight, run away, or tense up. But it is important to remember this powerful system is quite primitive.

For example, a bee recently flew in my car and activated the fight, flight, freeze reaction. My mind overestimated the bee’s danger and underestimated the danger of distracted driving. Cars have only been around for a little over a century. Insects with stingers that have the potential to hurt us? A heck of a lot longer! Subsequently, to be safe, I pulled the car over and dealt with the bee.

This all happened logically knowing the bee would likely not be aggressive unless provoked and I do not have a severe allergy to them. However, my logical part of brain seemed trampled on by the safety concerns of my primitive fight, flight, freeze.

Many times in life we have to remind ourself that our reactions are often due to this powerful system in our body. It is designed to keep up safe but has some catching up to do with modern times. I try to take a deep breath, pause, and remind myself these uncomfortable feelings are temporary. I can then more calmly respond in the moment.

Thank you for taking the time to read! What are your thoughts?