Feeling Overwhelmed at Work? Here's How to Manage the Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response

Have you ever found yourself feeling stressed or anxious, heart racing, and palms sweating? That's your body's fight, flight, or freeze response kicking in. 

But what is the fight, flight, or freeze response?

It's a survival mechanism that's designed to help us react quickly to perceived threats in our environment. When we experience something that we interpret as a threat, our body releases a flood of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can help us to either fight the threat, flee from it, or freeze in place.

While this response can be incredibly helpful in certain situations, it can also be triggered by more subtle stressors in our daily lives, like a tough conversation with a friend or a looming deadline at work. And let's be real, we've all been there.

Why do we still have the fight, flight or freeze response?

Here's the thing: the fight, flight, or freeze response isn't always a bad thing. In fact, it can be pretty helpful in certain situations. For example, imagine you're hiking in the woods and come face-to-face with a bear. Your fight, flight, or freeze response kicks in, flooding your body with hormones and preparing you to react quickly. In that moment, your response could be life-saving.

The same goes for other situations where you might sense danger or feel threatened. Your body's response can help you to quickly assess the situation and determine the best course of action. 

But when that response is chronically activated by everyday stressors, it can take a toll on your mental health and wellbeing.

What can you do to combat the fight, flight, or freeze response when it’s not needed?

That's where Wave comes in. We're here to help you manage stress and anxiety, so you can live your best life. Our coaches are trained to help you build science-backed mental health skills that can help to lower anxiety, improve mood, and feel more connected.

Our coaches are like supportive friends who have your back, helping you to identify your unique needs and goals, and working with you to build skills that you can use right away to feel better. And with our free Wave app, you can access additional support and skill-building resources between sessions.

So, if you're ready to start feeling better and taking charge of your mental wellbeing, we invite you to schedule a free coaching session with one of our National Board Certified Health Coaches. Think of it as a coffee date with a friend who's got your back, and the skills to help you navigate the ups and downs of early career life.

We can't wait to meet you!