Recognising survival mode: Are you fight, flight, or freeze?

Fight, flight, freeze — these three stress responses run automatically when our nervous system senses danger. In modern life they're often triggered by emails, noise or inner pressure rather than real threat.

Fight shows up as irritability, flight as restlessness and constant doing, freeze as emptiness, fatigue or feeling cut off. Many people switch between all three over the course of a day.

Recognising them is the first step back to regulation. Once you know which state you're in, you can choose the right antidote — instead of fighting yourself.