I went to the dentist the other day to have a cavity filled. Among other things, the dentist and hygienist debated which Sade album reigns supreme, swapped stories about dragging themselves to the gym despite the downpour, and both pleaded with me—multiple times—to please, please stop moving my tongue over the tooth they were working on. I had no idea I was doing it. After a few rounds of gentle scolding, we ended up laughing about it. It was automatic. Unconscious.

And you know me—of course it got me thinking.

Our bodies are beautifully designed to protect us. We dissociate when things get too hard, repress traumatic memories that are too painful to recall, and even split, emotionally or psychologically, in order to feel safe. We are built to serve ourselves, to shield us from what might harm us. Like anything, these defenses can become maladaptive. But at their core, our coping mechanisms—these involuntary, instinctive gestures toward safety—are pretty divine.

I’m in awe of the way we unconsciously care for ourselves, tend to our needs, keep ourselves safe. There is something so protective and beautiful in that design.