Understanding the Freeze Response: Why We Shut Down Under Stress
- Your Story Counselling
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
Most people are familiar with the idea of “fight or flight” — the body’s instinctive way of protecting us when we sense danger. But there’s another, less talked-about survival response that many people experience: freeze.
If you’ve ever gone blank during an argument, felt like your body was too heavy to move when overwhelmed, or found yourself shutting down instead of reacting, you’ve likely experienced the freeze response.
Why Does the Freeze Response Happen?
The freeze response is your nervous system’s way of keeping you safe when neither fighting nor running away feels possible. Think of it like your body hitting the “pause” button. Instead of taking action, your system slows down in an effort to protect you from harm.
This can show up as:
Going silent in a conflict, even when you want to speak up
Feeling disconnected from your emotions or your body
Struggling to make decisions or take action under pressure
Wanting to withdraw or “hide” when stress feels overwhelming
It’s important to know: there is nothing wrong with you if this happens. Freeze is a deeply human response, rooted in survival.
Small Ways to Support Yourself When You Freeze
You can’t always stop freeze from happening, but you can gently help your body and mind return to a sense of safety. Some simple, evidence-informed practices include:
Grounding through your senses: Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.
Gentle movement: Stretching, shaking out your arms, or taking a slow walk can help your body release stress energy.
Self-compassion: Remind yourself that freezing is not a failure. It is your nervous system’s way of protecting you.
How Therapy Can Help with the Freeze Response
Working through the freeze response is not something you need to do alone. Therapy offers tools, guidance, and a safe space to better understand your nervous system and build healthier patterns.
In therapy, you can:
Learn to notice the early signs of freeze
Develop grounding and self-regulation strategies that work for you
Explore the deeper roots of your stress or trauma responses
Build more confidence in handling conflicts and overwhelming situations
At Your Story Counselling, our team of therapists in Vaughan, Markham, and online across Ontario specialize in supporting clients with anxiety, trauma, and stress responses like freeze. With fees for therapy starting at $30, we strive to make therapy accessible to all.
Taking the Next Step
If you find yourself shutting down under stress and want to feel more grounded, therapy can make a meaningful difference. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you find the right therapist for your needs.
This article was written by Jamie Tjeng, Therapist Intern at Your Story Counselling. Jamie offers low-cost therapy for clients across Ontario, making mental health support more accessible for those who need it most.
Affordable Therapy York Region is committed to making quality mental health care more accessible across Markham, Vaughan, Concord, and the greater York Region. We offer both virtual and in-person sessions through a diverse team of supervised therapist interns and registered clinicians, with services starting as low as $20 per session.
Our clinic prioritizes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive care, ensuring that therapy is respectful of your identity, background, and lived experience. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, relationships, grief, or personal growth, we offer therapy that meets you where you are — emotionally and financially.
We also offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you find the right therapist fit before you commit.Learn more or get started today at www.affordabletherapyyorkregion.ca.
If you have additional questions regarding the contents of this article please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer you.
Should you have questions or inquiries regarding counselling and the process of counselling, please visit our FAQ page. contact us to ask questions, or learn more about our team of therapists before signing up for a free 15 minute consultation.
Terms and Conditions of Use:
The information provided in this article is intended to be general knowledge and does not constitute as professional advice or treatment. This information is not intended for the use of diagnosis or treatment. Please do not share or distribute this article without the proper referencing or written/verbal consent of Judy Lui. Additional information can be found at www.yourstorycounselling.com or requested via info@yourstorycounselling.com
Your Story Counselling Services is a multicultural, inclusive, BIPOC-led clinic offering online therapy across Ontario and in-person sessions in Vaughan and Markham. Our team of clinicians and supervised therapist interns provide trauma-informed care through art therapy, play therapy, and talk therapy, with a focus on social equity and culturally sensitive practice.
We offer flexible fee options, including sliding-scale, low-cost therapy with supervised interns starting at $30, making care accessible to a wider community. Learn more about our team or book a free consultation today.
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Struggling with shutting down under stress? Learn about the freeze response, why it happens, and how therapy can help you feel safe and grounded again. Your Story Counselling offers in-person and online support across Ontario, with low-cost therapy options available.
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