Why Do We Feel Cold When Afraid? Understanding the Fight or Flight Response
Have you ever found yourself freezing in fear, but then abruptly reacting to a threat by jumping out of the way or lashing out with a sudden punch? This phenomenon can be attributed to the complex interplay of our body's nervous system during moments of fear. In this article, we'll delve into what happens to our bodies when we feel afraid and why we might feel cold.
Understanding the Subconscious Mind's Role in Fear
When faced with a threat, our bodies respond with the fight or flight response. This automatic reaction is triggered by the subconscious mind, which assesses the situation and provides guidance to the conscious mind on how to react. The subconscious operates in such a way that it freezes us momentarily, allowing all our senses to come into play, and to provide an interpretation of the information collected.
The Immediate Physical Response to Fear
Freezing is a survival mechanism that helps us remain unnoticed by predators. However, maintaining a frozen state often leads to a freeze-up, where the body goes into shock. In such a state, it becomes challenging to think coherently and perform more than basic defensive actions. This is why you might see someone with a nose bleed after being startled by a sudden noise – their emergency response overwhelmed their ability to remain calm.
The Fight or Flight Response Explained
When you are truly frightened, your body goes into a state of alert, preparing to either confront the danger or run away from it. This response is controlled by your body's autonomic nervous system. As the body initiates the fight or flight response, it sends less energy to areas of the body that are not crucial for immediate survival like those that aren't directly involved in fighting or fleeing.
One of the physiological changes that occur during this response is the constriction of capillaries near the skin. This is done to reduce blood flow to the outermost parts of the skin, minimizing the risk of blood loss in case of injuries. At the same time, the blood is redirected to the heart and large muscles in preparation for a sudden escape. This redirection of blood is what creates the sensation of coldness, as the outer body temperature drops.
If you were to take a FLIR thermal image of a frightened person, you would observe a significant temperature drop in the outermost areas of the body. This visual representation clearly shows how the body prioritizes survival over maintaining its core temperature.
It's important to note that not everyone responds the same way to fear. While some individuals might freeze up, others will react with aggression or rapid movement. This variation in response is influenced by individual levels of control over the fight or flight response and may be triggered by anger or other intense emotions as well.
Conclusion
Feeling cold when afraid is a common and understandable physiological response to danger. It is the body's way of conserving energy and preparing for immediate survival. Understanding the fight or flight response can help us better manage our reactions to fear and potentially prevent excessive shock or misguided responses.
By recognizing the triggers and the body's natural response, we can take steps to better control our reactions in stressful situations. Whether you are searching for practical advice on managing fear or just looking to understand the biological underpinnings of this phenomenon, this article provides a comprehensive look into why we feel cold when afraid.