As humans, we inherently have our settings our brain automatically sets for us. Survival mode is one of the ways our brain sets ourselves to be ____. It can present itself as anxiety, depression, or severe energy depletion to others. It can feel different for all of us. It is our body’s natural defense mechanism to turn on fight or flight. But if one is in this constant state, it can transform into something that is unhealthy. You suddenly are hyperaware of what is around you and your brain can trick you into thinking you’re in danger or in threat. It’s more than normal to have these human reactions to certain situations, but it can be detrimental to our mental and physical health to be in a constant state of high alert.
Survival can present itself as extreme or even little of our usual behavior. However, both sides of the coin are completely valid and are signs of survival mode. Here are some signs to look out for when you find yourself acting differently than usual.
1. Daily Tasks
Daily tasks can suddenly seem as if it is more difficult than it used to be. It can feel as if it’s like pushing a heavy boulder on a mountain with a weight on our shoulder. This weight translates to our own baggage we may be carrying unknowingly with us. May it be past trauma, or stress from work. In survival mode, everything seems as if it’s a challenge, making our brains delay the process to actually complete the task that is presented in front of us. Procrastination can take over, leading to this state of feeling stuck.
2. Tiredness
Being on survival mode also means that your mind may not know when it’s time to sleep and unwind from the day. Your thoughts are constantly racing with thoughts you can’t control. You can lose sleep over this, making you more tired and exhausted. But on the other hand, maybe you’re getting too much sleep. But no matter how much you sleep, you still feel exhausted.
3. Poor memory
You find yourself becoming increasingly forgetful. In survival mode, our brain is hyper-focused on the things that might be taken as a threat, which leads to shorter memory. You can walk into a room and forget why you’re there or even lose track of time. Your brain is prioritizing the information that you would normally dismiss as a threat, overstressing and adding on to your load.
4. You feel a sense of urgency
Suddenly, everything feels like an emergency. Even when there is no deadline that’s set, yet your mind thinks that you have to finish the task at hand now. There’s this rushed feeling that makes it difficult to slow down and relax because of our fight or flight response. This is a sign that you are stuck in fight instead of flight, and that your mind is convinced disaster is inevitable.
5. Out of character
Check on yourself if you feel as if you aren’t feeling like yourself. You find yourself lashing out at small things that frustrate you, or maybe even taking out your frustrations on your loved ones. You don’t mean it, but you find that people are getting on your nerves, which isn’t like you. This is because our survival mode has taken up so much of our energy that a small, minor inconvenience can make us lash out, releasing all the build-up tension that we might have been unknowingly carrying.
It’s important to remember that these moments and signs do not define who you are as a person. It is only the state which you are in. You are simply a person who has run out of the energy to regulate emotions. But there are ways to get back on track, and check-in on yourself. Chronic stress impacts everything in our lives from our relationships in our lives to sleep. It’s important to build these skills to understand when our body has overdone it.
1. Breathing
It can start small. When you start to feel overwhelmed and lose grounding, take a few minutes to step outside and take a deep breath of fresh air. One of the most known and powerful ways to reduce stress is the 4-7-8 breathing technique. In these few sections, you can shift your focus and recalibrate your nervous system.
- Inhale for 4 counts
- Hold for 7 counts
- Exhale for 8 counts
- Then repeat for 3-4 times
This technique can even be done before a stressful event as well, such as going to work or trying something that can be out of your comfort zone.
2. Take part in self-care
This can look different for everyone. Self-care is a form of care catered to you and your needs after a stressful event or period of time. For some, it can be putting on a face mask and ordering out your favorite food. For others, it can be a hot yoga session to burn off the excess energy. Either way, all forms of self-care are valid; it can be passive rest or active rest. Ultimately, make sure you find the routine that works for you and it is intentional. Self-care should be rooted in growth and revitalization.
Ultimately, be graceful with yourself. You are only human at the end of the day. It’s normal to feel burnt out. Everyone has their days.
FIGURE OUT WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE FOR YOU WITH THERAPY FOR WOMEN IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN
The truth is, there’s no single or one-size-fits-all definition of success. Everyone has a different idea of what they want their life to look like. That is why it’s important to get clear on what that looks like for you. Once you have a better understanding of yourself and your values, you can start designing your life based on the things that are most important to you.
Therapy for women in Manhattan and Brooklyn is a great way to figure out what success looks like for you. At Manhattan Wellness, we will provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings and goals. So you can find clarity on what you want for yourself. We will pair your vulnerability with our empathy and encouragement. Then together we will uncover the key elements that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be. If you are ready to make the changes you want in your life:
- Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Learn More About Our Team of Female Therapists and Our Areas of Expertise
- Let’s Talk About How We Can Help You Feel Empowered & Ready To Take The Next Step.
We believe that you have the power within yourself to make the changes you want and find your version of success. Our female therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey. Allowing you to reclaim your identity and take control of your life. Thus allowing you to create the future you’ve been dreaming of.
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES AT MANHATTAN WELLNESS IN NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey and reclaiming your identity. So you can take control of your life and create the future you’ve been dreaming of. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Therapy for Maternal Mental Health, Self-Esteem Counseling, and Anxiety Treatment. Along with Dating/Relationship Counseling, Counseling for College Students, and more. Feel as if you are not living the life you deserve? Let’s talk about it.
