Feeling Uncomfortable

We have so many tools in this world to feel comfortable. Our back is sore? Heating pad. Our headaches? Medication. Experienced something devastating? Drugs. Alcohol. Worry. Everything being just so. 

Humans try their best to avoid uncomfortable feelings, especially because back 300,000 years ago the world looked a lot different and our brains were wired for the world of tigers and bears and survival. Our ancestors had to take actions against them in order to survive. Their solution was to create tribes in which everyone served a specific need for the tribe. 

To survive we use the limbic system, the fight, flight, freeze or fawn. When we are facing that tiger or bear neurons and chemicals are exploding in our brain and sending signals to the rest of our body that will then inform one of the most important choices in our lives…which all depends on survival. When have you faced your bear? How did it feel in your body? 

So many dynamics and technologies have evolved and changed over the last 300,000 years. We have smart phones, laptops, medications, and science. Yet, human limbic systems continue to be active. People face their bear every day. Some people’s bear is doing a presentation in front of the class. Others are that if they do not behave a certain way then someone will certainly die. Others have faced a moment when seconds could have changed the outcome to their ability to keep living or to die. 

The most interesting part of all is that it is triggering that same limbic system from 300,000 years ago. We will react the same. Our pupils will dilate to be able to see more, our blood will rush to our heart to make it beat faster and to be able to more quickly send blood to our legs or our arms if we need to fight or run. 

Humans are feeling uncomfortable more often than we think…our brain is the culprit. Our brain is a complex system of thoughts, feelings and core beliefs. Everyone’s brain works differently and has the same limbic system. 

What is your limbic system telling you?