Consequences of shock reactions
When we assist or hear of an unexpected, distressing event that we cannot avoid or handle, we feel a moment of shock, incredulity, bewilderment, absurdity or similar. This moment passes quickly and we normally do not pay much attention to it. But our body records the event!
In some cases and with repeated shocks our well-being can be seriously affected and cause chronic distress. As a consequence we are deprived of precious energies which are missing for handling the challenges we are facing.
On the way to your favourite restaurant
Imagine a day with drizzling rain. You are riding your bicycle to your favourite restaurant looking forward to nice company. When crossing the rail lines of a tram, a tire slips, you lose control, fall and hit the ground. You are shocked! Some time later you take the same route on your bike. When approaching the site of the accident you will feel tension in your body, be agitated or might even start sweating. Why is that? Because during the brief moment of a shock the body registers the circumstances that lead to the overwhelming event in order to warn us in the future and make us more alert to prevent it from happening again.
So, a shock is an emotional reaction that wants to keep us away from harm by avoiding situations perceived as dangerous. Is not that great? Yes, but there is a downside! The need to avoid these situations limits our freedom and can become a source of permanent tension. The route to the restaurant might start to feel “unsafe”, we might avoid riding the bicycle or renounce other activities we always enjoyed. If we cannot avoid the distressing situations, they can become a source of chronic stress.
In order to overcome the effects of a shock reaction you can try the following exercise.