During times of crisis, trauma, or drastic change, our body’s natural response is to go into survival mode. This response can cause us to experience a fight, flight, or freeze reaction, even if the threat is not physical. When we are living in survival mode, our symptoms can range from lack of energy to pushing people away without realizing it.
It is essential to identify the signs of living in survival mode to prevent symptoms from becoming unmanageable. By focusing on our needs, getting moving to release energy, asking for help, and becoming self-aware using grounding techniques, we can help ourselves and prevent overwhelming feelings of fear and apprehension.
Trauma and survival mode affect us all differently, and seeking help from a trained therapist can be useful to address our symptoms and stop living in survival mode. Remember, it is crucial not to let trauma, crisis, or drastic changes affect how we live our lives. By addressing the signs of living in survival mode, we can simplify our lives and live without being overwhelmed.
During times of crisis, drastic change, or trauma, we can experience a fight, flight, or freeze response. These types of responses are considered living in survival mode. We do not always have to experience a physical threat for this survival mode to kick in.
Sometimes our brain may think that things are threats that may not actually be a threat. In times of crisis or trauma our brain can forget to be calm and rational, and even end up making us have impulsive and protective actions. How we respond to trauma or crisis varies from person to person.
Do you find that you are overly emotional when you did not used to be? Does your body, mind, or spirit seem overly tired? These can be signs that you are in survival mode.
When in survival mode, our symptoms can seem manageable or even unmanageable. Before our symptoms become unmanageable, it is important to address our symptoms.
Signs/symptoms of living in survival mode:
- Lack of energy/fatigue
When in survival mode, you may seem more tired than usual. This lack of energy can be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
- Ignoring your needs
This can be unintentional or intentional. This can be when we do not care to shower, eat healthy, or exercise.
- Overly emotional
This can be when you are angrier than usual or express emotions differently than in the past. When in survival mode, even little things can make us react.
- You are unable to focus on days ahead
When in survival mode we may feel as if we can only handle today and not focus on any days ahead without being overwhelmed. This makes us focus all of our energy on the present moment and can make us burnt out easily.
- Pushing people away without realizing
When we are overwhelmed, it can seem like we are on autopilot and that we do not have time for things that used to be important. We may also push people away because of our own energy and not wanting to drag anyone down.
Survival mode can make us feel overwhelmed if we do not declutter or simplify our every day lives. We must ask ourselves what needs to be done to allow us to not be in survival mode.
Ways to help yourself:
- Focus on your needs
Identify what is important for you right now. This can be eating properly, getting enough sleep, or even simply getting dressed each day.
- Get moving to release energy
We must do some form of exercise to release built up energy. Working out, going for a hike, or doing yoga can help us feel happier and reduce our state of fear.
No one wants to ask for help but we all need support from others even if it is just talking on the phone with a loved one. Spending time with friends or loved ones can greatly reduce our stress/anxiety. If you need additional support, therapy is a great option to help address trauma and stop living in survival mode.
- Become self-aware by using grounding techniques
Being in survival mode greatly increases anxiety. Use breathing techniques, a cold shower, or eat something sour to bring your brain back to the present and slow your heart rate.
Some of us have lived in survival mode for so long that it can be extremely difficult to know that is what we are facing. It can also make it extremely hard to stop living in survival mode and to have trust in our decisions.
Living in survival mode can become exhausting and makes it difficult to do everyday tasks, no matter how little those tasks are. Be aware of the signs of survival mode and be willing to address these signs so that you can live without being in constant fear or apprehension.
Do not let trauma, crisis, or drastic changes affect how you live your life. Remember that trauma and survival mode affect us all differently and that some things that you experience may not be experienced by others.
Take the time to truly listen to your body and give it what it needs. If you struggle with survival mode, trauma, crisis, or drastic changes and cannot manage symptoms alone, reach out to a trained therapist for help.
In conclusion, living in survival mode is a natural response to trauma, crisis, or drastic changes that can affect our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It can cause us to experience fatigue, ignore our needs, become overly emotional, unable to focus on the future, and push people away without realizing it. It is essential to identify the signs of living in survival mode to prevent symptoms from becoming unmanageable.
To help ourselves, we must focus on our needs, get moving to release energy, ask for help, and become self-aware using grounding techniques. It is essential to understand that trauma and survival mode affect us differently, and seeking help from a trained therapist can be useful to address our symptoms and stop living in survival mode.
It is crucial not to let trauma, crisis, or drastic changes affect how we live our lives. By taking the time to listen to our bodies and give it what it needs, we can prevent ourselves from being in constant fear or apprehension. By addressing the signs of living in survival mode, we can simplify our lives and live without being overwhelmed.
