2. Go for a barefoot walk in the park

It might sound odd, but kicking off your shoes and feeling the soil beneath your feet can help to focus your attention back to your body. Known as grounding, this somatic technique calms the nervous system by mindfully bringing us into the present moment.

“When we consciously walk barefoot on natural surfaces like grass or sand, our brain is stimulated by the sensory receptors in thousands of nerve endings in our feet,” notes Mann. “The survival state causes us to feel disconnected from our body as a way of self-protection, so anything we can do to anchor our brain back to the here and now can help reduce feelings of numbness and derealisation.”

3. Start your day with tapping techniques

If you find it difficult to relax, a technique called EFT tapping might be helpful.

“The skin is an organ too, which has many nerve endings that connect to the brain,” says Mann. “EFT tapping is based on the same energy and meridian system used in acupuncture, where we use our fingers to gently tap on specific parts of the skin to stimulate calming messages to the brain’s limbic system.

“These meridian points are considered passageways where energy flows in the body, helping to release pent-up stressful emotions that cause the freeze response.”

4. Get to the root of the stress

It’s all well and good using techniques to manage stress, but the issue will continue to crop up if we don’t eliminate the trigger. Whether it’s a boss with no boundaries, relationships worries or life in a noisy flatshare, stress is a natural response to perceived threats that challenge us.

“At the core of every survival mode is a wound that’s at play, so it’s about figuring out the reason your brain is so overwhelmed that it’s trying to escape your body,” says Mann.

“Therapy can be really helpful for understanding the deeper causes of stress and the symptoms it causes, such as freeze mode,” adds Chummun. “A qualified therapist can help you to work out what’s fuelling the issue, and provide tools and techniques to help bring your brain back to a place where it feels safe and grounded.”

Finally, if you’re struggling with freeze mode and it’s impacting your day-to-day life, it’s important to speak to your GP. They can provide support and guidance to help you navigate through it.

You’re not lazy, you’re in functional freeze mode – here’s what you can do about it