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Writer's pictureSimply Psychotherapy

Fight, Flight, and Freeze: The Body's Response to Stress

Updated: Oct 10, 2023

When faced with threatening or stressful situations, our bodies instinctively respond in various ways. The fight, flight, and freeze response is a natural survival mechanism designed to protect us from danger. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of fight, flight, and freeze, how it affects our bodies and minds, and strategies to manage and navigate these responses in a healthy manner.


Body's Response to Stress


1. The Fight Response:


a. Definition: The fight response is an instinctive reaction characterised by an aggressive or confrontational stance when confronted with a perceived threat. It activates the body's physiological systems, preparing it for physical confrontation.


b. Physical and Emotional Signs: Increased heart rate, heightened alertness, tense muscles, anger, irritability, and a strong desire to defend oneself or others.


c. Coping Strategies: Engaging in physical activity, such as exercise or martial arts, finding healthy outlets for anger or frustration, practicing assertiveness and boundary-setting skills, and seeking professional help when needed.


2. The Flight Response:


a. Definition: The flight response involves a desire to escape or avoid a threatening situation. It triggers a surge of energy that prepares the body to flee from danger, promoting swift movement and heightened sensory awareness.


b. Physical and Emotional Signs: Rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, restlessness, feeling on edge, anxiety, and a strong urge to run away or find safety.


c. Coping Strategies: Engaging in calming activities, such as deep breathing exercises, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, seeking social support, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and seeking therapy if anxiety becomes chronic or debilitating.


3. The Freeze Response:


a. Definition: The freeze response is characterized by a temporary immobilisation or "freezing" reaction when faced with a threat. It is an instinctive survival strategy that aims to make us less noticeable to predators or dangerous situations.


b. Physical and Emotional Signs: Feeling paralyzed, experiencing numbness or detachment, difficulty speaking or moving, decreased heart rate, and a sense of being stuck or helpless.


c. Coping Strategies: Engaging in grounding techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, gentle movement or stretching, seeking professional support for trauma processing, and gradually reintroducing a sense of safety through self-care and self-compassion practices.


4. Navigating the Responses:


a. Awareness: Recognize your individual stress response patterns and become mindful of the physical and emotional signs that indicate fight, flight, or freeze.


b. Self-Care: Implement self-care practices that support your overall well-being, such as regular exercise, quality sleep, healthy nutrition, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.


c. Stress Management: Learn stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, journaling, or seeking therapy, to better regulate your body's response to stressors.


d. Seek Support: If your stress response significantly impacts your daily life or if you have experienced traumatic events, consider seeking professional support from therapists specializing in trauma and stress management.


Conclusion:

Understanding the fight, flight, and freeze response is essential for navigating and managing stress in our lives. By recognising our individual patterns and implementing healthy coping strategies, we can develop resilience and respond to stressors in a more balanced and adaptive manner. Remember, seeking professional help is always an option when stress becomes overwhelming or affects your overall well-being. With awareness, self-care, and support, we can effectively navigate the challenges and stressors that life presents.


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