DISCLAIMER: The following post outlines the writer’s personal journey with nervous system regulation. It is not intended to act as medical advice. As always, please consult your doctor with any questions about your health.
Overwhelmed? Stressed? Running on empty? Wondering if stress is just part of being a mom? You’re not alone. Most moms accept stress and anxiety as just part of the job—especially in today’s overstimulating world.
But what if you could move through even the busiest, most overwhelming days from a place of calm? That’s what I’m here to share with you today.
Pushing Through in Fight, Flight, Freeze
I get it—personally and professionally. For years, I pushed through life in Fight, Flight, Freeze, believing that was the only way to be a high achiever. Between building my businesses and trying to be the kind of mom I wanted to be, I was doing it all from a state of anxiety and depletion. I was pushing through instead of truly feeling present.
But once I learned to regulate my nervous system, I realized I could still show up fully for my family—without feeling constantly on edge.
Making It Easier
All those years I was pushing through in survival mode, I never imagined it could be easier. But, I’m grateful to share that it CAN be easier . . . when you tap into the tools within your nervous system! That’s why I created the video posted below—to show you what’s possible.
I’m going to introduce one of the quickest and most effective ways to break free from Fight, Flight, Freeze: by integrating the Fear Paralysis Reflex. This simple technique is perfect for those high-stress moments when you’re short on time but need quick relief.
Tapping Into the Resources Within
The Fear Paralysis Reflex is part of the body’s built-in protection system—wired into us in utero. In infancy, it’s typically integrated through developmental movement and then recedes into the background, creating a foundation for other reflexes to come online.
But if this developmental scaffolding doesn’t fully complete, it can leave you more vulnerable to living in survival mode—often showing up as persistent anxiety. Even if the reflex was fully integrated early on, it can be reactivated later in life by stressors like trauma, illness, car accidents, or even the everyday overwhelm of modern life.
When that happens, the Fear Paralysis Reflex can resurface, heightening stress and anxiety responses.
Bringing It Into Daily Life
This technique is one of several ways to support and regulate the Fear Paralysis Reflex, helping it ease back into the background so you can feel more calm, grounded, and steady throughout your day. It only takes a minute or two, and you can practice this short variation multiple times, especially during moments of high stress.
It’s a simple and effective self-care ritual to use before bed, helping your body wind down for deeper rest. And it’s something you can share with your children too. When my daughter was younger, I’d wrap my arms around her like a hug and gently guide her through it. Now that she’s a teen, she usually only asks for it during “crisis mode”—but I can’t help but smile when I overhear her talking a stressed-out friend through this sequence.
No special equipment is needed—just your body and your breath. This tool is always available within you. Give it a try, let me know how it feels for you, and drop any questions in the comments below!
