Ever sit on the couch with your mind telling you the long list of things you *should* or *need* to do and you can’t seem to get up and actually do any of them? You sit there for minutes, hours or even days naming everything you need to do and judging that it’s not being done. You are anticipating how hard the task will be, criticizing yourself thinking that it’s easier for everyone else. You might even go through your day-to-day completing your tasks, but it takes every ounce of energy for you to get them done. 

The longer you avoid a task, the harder your brain will believe it is and the less resources it will have to do the actual task.

Your mind has overwhelmed you to the point of poking at your sympathetic nervous system and BOOM you are frozen. 

You have a good body, it is trying to help you survive when danger is present. You might be thinking, “But no danger is present!” If your nervous system is activated and you are frozen, it is because it has perceived a danger. Your brain is trying to logic you away from this reaction, and unfortunately, the animal  just does not work that way. 

You can start to thaw your freeze response by following these steps:

TALK TO YOUR BRAIN – say “Thanks brain but you aren’t being helpful right now.”

NAME WHAT’S HAPPENING – I feel frozen and that is OK, this a normal response, even if the fear is not logical.

HELP YOURSELF – The feeling of helplessness creeps in and we might start to notice apathy, some “why bothers” or “what’s the points” floating around in your mind.

START SLOW – Look at the corners of the room that you are in. Move your neck. It’s hard to stay stuck when you are in motion. Keep trying to note all the corners. 

GET UP – Often we experience this functional freeze or freeze experience when our bodies are laying or sitting. Even though it might look like rest on the outside, the mind is jumping from thought to thought and feeling anything BUT peaceful. Even if it’s one foot on the ground, or bending your knees. Move your body. 

CHANGE YOUR TEMPERATURE – Once you have successfully shifted that freeze response, splash cold water on your face, grab an ice cube and let it melt in your hand. If you are brave, go outside in the cold for a moment. Feel that change of temperature as it shifts you further out of freeze.

Managing the human system is not easy and we do often need more help with our practice. We are here when you need that extra bit of support. Reach out to co*****@re*************.com for other resources or to find a therapist that might be the right fit for you. 

Authored by Annie Amirault RSW & Co-Founder of ReLearning Human