Rest and relaxation are words we often use interchangeably, but they are not the same. While both are vital for our well-being, understanding their differences can transform how we approach feeling refreshed, energised, and ready for life’s demands.
For those who’ve adopted the fawn response, it can feel like being “NICE” and making sure people are happy is the only way to stay safe, avoid conflict, and remain connected to others. In this blog post, we’ll explore why the fawn response happens, how it impacts us in daily life, and most importantly what you can do to begin stepping out of people-pleasing patterns.
The freeze response is not something to “fix”; it’s part of our natural human experience, a response that has helped us survive moments of great challenge. Healing simply requires us to find ways to feel safe, supported, and connected enough to re-engage with life.
The flight response doesn’t always mean physically running away; instead, it often shows up in the need to mentally check out, avoid challenging conversations, or keep ourselves “too busy” to pause and reflect and be present with the REALLY uncomfortable stuff.