how we respond to stress - part 2

Welcome back to part two of my two-part blog series exploring how our responses to stress can perpetuate a cycle of fear and failure. We will look at the default stress responses, freeze and fawn, and begin to understand that once we recognize these responses, we can gain awareness and make conscious choices to promote growth and well-being.

Stress Response: Freeze 

Freeze is closely associated with a state of immobilization and can have significant implications for mental health, including depression and anxiety. When confronted with stress, people who experience the freeze response may encounter detached behaviours, feeling disconnected from their emotions and the world around them. Decision fatigue can also show up, making even simple choices feel overwhelming and exhausting. 

This response is characterized by a sense of shutdown, where individuals may feel emotionally numb, lacking motivation, and unable to take necessary action. The overwhelming nature of stress can leave individuals feeling trapped and unable to move forward, amplifying feelings of helplessness. 

Stress Response: Fawn

Fawn involves a complex set of behaviours and emotions that revolve around the need for external validation and people-pleasing. People experiencing the fawn response often prioritize the needs and desires of others above their own, looking to maintain harmony and avoid conflict at all costs. This can result in a lack of personal boundaries, as they may struggle to assert their own needs and desires.

Over time, this pattern of behaviour can lead to a loss of personal identity, as individuals become disconnected from their own wants and values, which often leads to emotional exhaustion and a sense of being taken advantage of. 

• How is stress impacted by our society?

When it comes to women, society often encourages and reinforces the stress response of excessive helpfulness and over-pleasing behaviours which are often praised and seen as being virtuous. This pressure can lead women to feel compelled to constantly prioritize the well-being of others, even at the expense of their own mental and emotional health.  As a result, they may experience feelings of loneliness as their own needs and desires are neglected. 

Over time, as individuals struggle to meet unrealistic demands and maintain a façade of perfection become overwhelmingly stressed. Exhaustion becomes a common consequence, as the emotional and physical energy required to sustain this level of helpfulness becomes unsustainable. 

Recognizing societal influences and challenging these expectations is crucial for women to prioritize their own well-being, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate authentic connections based on mutual support rather than excessive self-sacrifice.

• How can we better navigate stress?

To effectively navigate stress, it’s important to understand our stress responses and the influence of binary thinking. Curiosity is a powerful tool in this process and encourages us to explore our stress responses with an open mind and a willingness to learn. 

Embracing this curiosity allows us to acknowledge the diverse ways in which stress manifests in our lives and cultivate self-compassion. This allows us to approach our stress responses with kindness and understanding, recognizing that they are natural human reactions shaped by our unique experiences. 

Remember, we have the power to choose our responses and shape our journey through life's transitions.

Stay tuned for more insights, information and empowering pieces.

Let's celebrate the liminal spaces that shape us and claim our authentic lives!