Focus versus Awareness
One term I hear from people talking about self defense is 'situational awareness'. Being aware of your surroundings and realizing that you might be in a sketchy situation might prompt you to go somewhere else that is not so sketchy and so avoid any possible problems.
The problem is that people only have so much mental capacity and using that capacity to be aware of your situation means you don't have as much mental energy to expend on the task at hand. Some tasks don't require a great deal of concentration, and some, like walking and driving require a certain amount of situational awareness.
Some tasks require a great deal of concentration and so you are not going to have much mental power to watch what's going on around you. That's why we have offices and bedrooms, so while you are focusing on the task at hand you can be reasonably sure that the outside world is not going to intrude and disrupt your mental state.
Trying to concentrate on something while ignoring your situation in the real world while you are in a sketchy situation can increase the odds of something bad happening. Be wary, be aware, beware.
1 comment:
I've a feeling Shapira's take on the training is probably true for cops, plus hours of listening to horrific stories from older cops sitting in cruisers. However for the general public internet fear mongering has more effect and may be why they are taking the class.
But I agree with Yamane, and you, that I must be aware of where I am, but for the most part I don't worry about being attacked in public places, maybe robbed at worst.
I admit women have additional worries.
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