“Functional freezing”: 7 signs that you work (without knowing) in survival mode

With acute stress, our nervous system triggers well known defense mechanisms: fight (fight) or flight (flying). But when these options are impossible, a third answer is taken: freezing. Away from a simple state of inaction, this mechanism pushes to work on “automatic piloting”, blocked in a routine, a step back or without a real relationship with its feelings.

This cold becomes problematic when he resides permanently, prevents us from feeling happy, peacefully or reacts to the challenges of everyday life Camily TomatMental Health Coach. Without making it aware of this, many people live under his grip, which can cause a feeling of chronic fatigue, anxiety and helplessness. Here are 7 indications that you are in functional cold.

1. You alternately intensive stress and total collapse

Your daily life is punctured after a period of tiredness by intensive activity stages. You work under pressure, then as soon as stress falls, you are unable to fix effectively.

2. Your body is under permanent stress

Neck pain, trapezius, lower back or pelvis? These chronic muscles stress are often signs of a nervous system blocked in freeze mode, now in the unconscious state of alertness to the body.

3. You find it difficult to breathe deeply

Your breathing is small, irregular or blocked. You feel that you are never able to take a big breath of fresh air. This emotion is specific of functional cold, which limits oxygen and maintains the body on alert.

4. You feel helpless in front of the challenges of life

Decide, face uncomfortable situations or bounce back after failure. You feel blocked, even in situations that should not be so complicated.

5. You need constant excitement to move forward

Caffeine, excessive sports, tight time limit … you have trouble working without an external boost. Your body wants to hide your inertia by forcing yourself to live under permanent stress.

6. You are hypersensitive for decisions and failure

A little criticism makes you paralyzed and makes you inactive. You avoid taking initiative for fear of doing wrong, which feeds your cold even more.

7. Your social relations are in automatic mode

You maintain social interaction, but they see you with real feeling. You are physically present, but mentally absent, as if you saw the scene from outside.