The third in our series of the four common stress types deals with the Freeze reaction.
Read about what these automatic stress reactions are and explore the first two types (Fight and Flight) in Part 1 & 2.
An automatic Freeze reaction can serve as a stalling or avoidance tactic when you can’t identify any means of fighting back or escaping. Common behaviors include when you:
mentally “check out” from situations that feel painful or stressful
use fantasy or imagination to escape day-to-day distress
prefer solitude and avoid close relationships hide emotions and feelings
physically detach from the world through sleep, or by staying in your room or house
Freeze: Skillful Response to Practice
When healthy, the Freeze reaction helps you slow down, appraise and determine next steps when faced with a stressful situation. However, when unhealthy, it can feel like overwhelm and the inability to take any action.
If you notice a feeling of overwhelm or spaciness come over you when experiencing stress, performing an environmental scan can reorient you into the present moment.
Engaging in a scan of the five senses can be particularly effective in grounding you and releasing the Freeze reaction. Look around you and list:
5 things that you see,
4 things that you hear,
3 things that you can touch,
2 things that you smell and
1 thing that you can taste.
From this more present, grounded place, you can move forward one step at a time.
Long term practice of these activities can have a significant and lasting impact on your behaviors and relationships.
Read the final in our series - the Fawn Reaction - here!
Let your wisdom lead,
Robin
P.S.
I’m heading to Spain next week! Follow along on my journey on Instagram
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