11/28/2023
Fight, flight and freeze are common reactions to stress. But did you know you can cycle through all of them?
What's your stress cycle?
It can look something like this:
Stressful situation occurs where you feel overwhelmed and you distract yourself. You flee or try to avoid what your feeling (Social Media, Netflix, work, etc.)
Next you realize avoiding the situation is not working and you become frustrated, angry, resentful, (fight).
Now your nervous system and adrenal glands are overwhelmed and you feel drained, can't concentrate, your mind is racing but your body feels exhausted and frozen.
Most of us don't realize we're in a stress cycle until we hit freeze. The key to breaking the cycle is becoming aware of your first response: flight, fight or freeze. Then taking recovery steps to complete stress cycle so you release the stress hormones that contribute to chronic inflammation, pain, digestive issues, mood disorders and other conditions.
Recovery activities to completing the stress cycle can include:
* Practice some grounding techniques ( breathing, engaging your five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, taste)
* Going for a walk, exercising, dancing, yoga
* Doing something creative
* Laughing
* Crying
* Getting a good night's sleep
"Stress is the trash of life- we all generate it but if we don't dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life." Danzae Pace
