Why Freeze State Happens in Two Different Ways (and Why it Matters)

Ever felt completely stuck in the face of stress—unable to act, speak, or even think clearly? Or do you find yourself saying “yes” just to avoid conflict, even when you don’t want to? These are nervous system responses—freeze and fawn—and they’re not just habits, but survival strategies.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:
  -Why freeze happens in two different ways (and why it matters)
- How fawning keeps you stuck in people-pleasing mode
  -Simple, actionable steps to shift out of these patterns
Your nervous system isn’t broken—it’s doing what it was designed to do. But with the right tools, you can teach it a new way forward.

If you haven't already, check out Five Ives to see how strategies like this can be applied to adults, especially in the workplace. Five Ives works with staff in high burnout jobs to help them incorporate regulation strategies into their daily routines.

Try at Home Tip:
Think about if you are a sympathetic freezer, a parasympathetic freezer, or a fawner and think of one micro practice you can integrate when either you feel it and you're reacting to it or to prevent it from happening.

Other related resources from The Behavior Hub: 

Blog Post: 

• Polyvagal Theory
• Sympathetic Nervous System
• Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
• Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

Podcast:

• Nature's Role in Nervous System Regulation
• Rhythms That Regulate
• Cold Exposure: How the Cold Can Calm your Nervous System
• Beyond Deep Breaths: Surprising Ways to Reset your System
• Sounds That Heal
• Find Your Way Back to the Window of Tolerance
• I Can't Stop Talking about the Nervous System
• 5 Ives episode

Our Online Courses: 

• Classroom Design with the Brain in Mind
• From Conflict to Calm:  How to communicate with kids so they listen the FIRST time!
• 4 Simple Steps to Problem Solving

Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!

• Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
• Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about the Emotional Brain.
• Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children 
• The Behavior Hub website
• The Behavior Hub blog

Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help!
 Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.

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