Stress and anxiety can actually be useful and helpful in life. We need a certain level of stress or anxiety to get us moving and on track—like when we're preparing for a job interview, competing in a race, or even just showing up to work or school.

 

The Fight or Flight Response

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The fight or flight response is our body's natural reaction to perceived danger or stress. It’s an ancient survival mechanism that prepares us to either confront a threat head-on ("fight") or flee from it to stay safe ("flight"). When we face a stressful situation, our body kicks into gear: our heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, breathing becomes quicker, and adrenaline floods our system. This physical response is meant to give us the energy and focus to react quickly.

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In today’s world, though, the situations that trigger this response aren’t always life-threatening—things like work stress, conflict, or pressure to perform can set it off. When this happens, you might feel a surge of energy, anger, or the urge to run or escape. While this can be helpful in some situations, it can also lead to feelings of anxiety, irritability, or a sense of being out of control when the response is triggered too frequently or inappropriately.

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Over time, constantly living in fight or flight mode can lead to burnout, exhaustion, or even health problems. But it’s important to know that this response is completely natural. With the right tools and strategies, we can work together to help you regain balance, so you can respond more calmly and effectively—no matter what life throws your way.

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The Freeze Response

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The freeze response is a natural part of our body's survival system. When we perceive a threat or danger, sometimes our body doesn’t go into "fight" or "flight" mode but instead "freezes." This can feel like you're stuck—unable to move, speak, or react. It’s like a deer in headlights—our body goes into a kind of shutdown to avoid being noticed or to buy time.

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When we freeze, our thoughts may race, our heart might pound, but it can feel like we're paralyzed, unable to take action. This can happen in situations like high-stress meetings, conflict, or even when we're faced with an overwhelming task or decision. It's our body's way of coping with stress, but it can also leave us feeling disconnected, numb, or overwhelmed, especially if we’re constantly experiencing it.

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The freeze response can also make it harder to process what’s happening, leading us to feel stuck or unable to move forward. If this is something you’re experiencing, it doesn’t mean you're weak or broken—it’s just your body trying to protect you. We can work together to help you understand and manage the freeze response, so you can get back to feeling in control and able to respond in a way that feels right for you.

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Here are some common stress- and anxiety-related conditions:

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Panic Disorder: If you're experiencing panic attacks that seem to come out of nowhere—or maybe others that feel triggered by certain situations or things—you might be familiar with sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, numbness, or even feeling like you're "going crazy." You may also find yourself worrying about having more panic attacks, to the point of avoiding places or situations or only going with a "safe" person.

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Agoraphobia: Feeling anxious in situations like public transportation, open or enclosed spaces, lines, or crowds. The fear of not being able to escape or get help, or anticipating a panic attack, can make even simple outings feel overwhelming.

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Specific Phobia: Feeling intense fear or anxiety about very specific things or situations, such as animals (spiders, dogs, snakes), flying, heights, blood, injections, elevators, or tight spaces.

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Social Anxiety/Phobia: Feeling anxious, scared, or afraid of social interactions. This might lead you to avoid social situations altogether or barely get through them, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety.

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Constantly worrying about everything—money, family, health, work, school, home, and so on. Maybe you call yourself a “worrywart,” or others do. You might feel restless, tense, on edge, have trouble concentrating, or struggle with sleep, all while your anxiety seems to spiral out of control.

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It makes sense to want to avoid things that are unpleasant, but sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do is face them head-on. Maybe you've already tried tackling your fear or anxiety on your own, but I can help you confront, overcome, and navigate these challenges. You can do this. Together, we can create a toolbox of strategies to help you manage anxiety so you can live your life with a healthy level of stress that's manageable.

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Interested in working with me?  Please check my availability here.

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