Ever found yourself in a situation so overwhelming that you felt like your brain and/or body had hit the “pause” button? Maybe you’re in a meeting and suddenly blank out, or you’re about to tackle a big project but feel like your mind has frozen like a computer caught in a never-ending loading screen. Welcome to the world of the functional freeze—a fascinating phenomenon where your mind and body decide to hit the brakes, but you’re still technically "on."
What is Functional Freeze?
Functional freeze is like that moment in a video game when your character is stuck in place but can still see the action happening around them. Psychologically and physiologically, it’s a response where your body goes into a state of heightened alertness, but instead of jumping into fight or flight mode, you sort of “freeze” in place. This can be triggered by stress, anxiety, or overwhelming situations.
On the physiological side, this is linked to the dorsal vagal complex, part of your parasympathetic nervous system. It’s like your body’s way of saying, “Whoa, let’s take a breather!” Emotionally, it might feel like your brain has put up a “No Entry” sign while you try to navigate the chaos around you.
Functional freeze is different from the full freeze response as it enables us to partly operate our day to day lives, many people can still function at work and "appear" to be living normal lives. However they will experience a sense of emotional numbness, procrastination, unclear thinking, perhaps issues in relationships and other challenges in day to day life.
Why Does it Happen?
You may have heard of the fight/flight response (our body's reaction to stress that helps us to protect ourselves from stress).
There is a lesser known third response - the freeze response - that happens when we face something so stressful or scary that we can't fight or run away. Instead of reacting right away, our body temporarily “freezes” to help us cope. This freeze response is like hitting the pause button, giving us a moment to assess the situation and figure out what to do next. It’s controlled by a part of the brain that helps protect us in dangerous situations. By staying still and reducing our movements, we can avoid drawing attention and buy time to make a decision about how to safely handle the stress or danger.
How to Deal with Functional Freeze (Without Losing Your Cool)
Embrace the Pause: Sometimes, a pause is exactly what you need. Think of it as your brain’s way of buffering. Take a deep breath and give yourself a moment. After all, even computers need a break sometimes!
Engage in Gentle Movement: If you feel frozen in place, a little physical activity can help. Stretch, walk around, or just shake out your limbs. It’s like hitting the refresh button for your body.
Practice Mindfulness: Grounding techniques, like focusing on your breath or noticing the sensations around you, can help you get back in touch with the present moment. It’s like setting your GPS to your current location and getting back on track.
Humour Helps: Sometimes, humour is the best antidote. If you find yourself stuck in a functional freeze, try to laugh about it. Imagine you’re a statue in a museum exhibit and give yourself a quirky name. It’s a fun way to break the ice (pun intended).
Seek Support: If you find that functional freeze is a frequent visitor, talking to a mental health professional can help you develop strategies to manage stress and improve resilience.
Functional freeze might feel like your brain and body have decided to take a mini-vacation, but with a little understanding and some coping strategies, you can navigate through it with ease. So next time you find yourself in a freeze mode, remember: it’s just a temporary pause, and you’ve got the tools you need to hit play again.
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