OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia

The fight-or-flight response was very helpful long ago when people needed to run from wild animals. But today, your amygdala can send the same alarm when you lose a game or someone says something mean.

The good news is that your brain has a thinking part called the prefrontal cortex. It can tell your amygdala to calm down. But it needs a little time to catch up! That is why counting slowly to 10 really works. It gives your thinking brain time to take over.

When you count to 10 or splash cold water on your face, your body starts to slow down. Your heart beats slower. Your muscles relax. The cortisol and adrenaline go away. Your thinking brain is back in charge!

• The amygdala is shaped like an almond, and “amygdala” actually comes from the Greek word for almond.
• Your heart can beat up to 150 times per minute during a fight-or-flight response, compared to about 80 to 100 times per minute when you are calm.
• Cortisol and adrenaline are called “stress hormones” because your body makes them when you feel scared or upset.