Home-Body

The Freeze Response: When You Can't Move Forward

5 snips
Apr 15, 2025
Feeling stuck? Discover the freeze response, a primal reaction to perceived threats that leads to emotional paralysis. Explore triggers like overwhelm and burnout, and learn about behavioral signs such as procrastination and numbness. Awareness is key to break free, and gentle movements can re-engage your body. Co-regulation with trusted individuals helps, while small, safe steps pave the way to healing. Understand the nervous system to regain control and move forward with confidence.
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INSIGHT

Freeze Is An Evolutionary Safety Strategy

  • The freeze response is an automatic, evolutionary survival strategy, not a personal failing.
  • The dorsal vagal branch drives immobilization when fighting or fleeing seems futile.
INSIGHT

Common Triggers And Signs Of Freeze

  • Freeze can be triggered by overwhelm, repeated trauma, burnout, shame, or powerlessness.
  • It often shows as paralysis, numbness, dissociation, heavy body sensations, and lack of motivation.
ADVICE

Start By Noticing And Labeling

  • Start with awareness by noticing and labeling "I think I might be in freeze right now."
  • Labeling reduces shame and brings more cognitive regulation back online.
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