This is a new term for me and maybe for you too, it might happen that we have experienced functional freeze but didn’t know how to define the whole thing.
Well, what do the experts say about it? Let’s find out.
According to the health and wellness online magazine, Happiful, functional freeze is a mental, physical and emotional state where individuals feel stuck, despite being able to perform daily activities normally. “Functional freeze is when you are able to outwardly function and complete daily tasks such as going to work, seeing friends and preparing meals, but psychologically you are still stuck in this freeze mode. It is often described as being ‘tired and wired’, feeling heightened anxiety levels and a lack of desire to do things at the same time.”
It’s probably all starting to sound a lot more familiar now, there’s more.
What are the signs?
The Counselling Directory details the signs that indicate a state of functional freeze as:
- Ongoing low-level anxiety
- Desire to isolate and disconnect from people
- Difficulty in self-care
- Procrastination
- Exhaustion
- Disconnection
Causes
The functional freeze state occurs when the nervous system becomes overloaded due to stress or trauma, states Khiron Clinics. The publication mentions that mammals have developed a survival mechanism, the freeze response to protect against threats. “This freeze response serves as a vital survival strategy, offering protection under acute stress. However, prolonged periods spent in this state can pose challenges.”
It is further stated that humans have a remarkable capacity for adaptation, sometimes causing them to live semi-functional lives, “Experiencing varying degrees of the freeze response without realising it,” and seemingly disconnected from their bodily sensations and emotions.
Overcoming functional freeze
Breathing exercises: The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine claims that breathing exercises, such as slow, deep exhalations can activate the parasympathetic nervous system which helps the body in resting and digesting.
Envision safety: Develop an internal safe place and recall it when feeling nervous or remembering a successful time, states Re-vibe Counselling.
Move your body: The above publication further states that memory is stored in our bodies and the body’s freeze response is activated when we cannot distinguish between real and imagined danger. Therefore, to escape this freeze response, it is said that moving the body can help convince the body of safety. “Moving the body convinces the body that you are safe. This is why a counsellor might suggest in a session to stamp your feet, cross your arms and tap your shoulders rhythmically, invite you to shake off a feeling, get up and have a dance or anything that gets your body moving.”
Also see: Tips to juggling school, work and family successfully
