18/12/2025
This is absolutely 💯 correct like with treatments as to therapy relaxation and you time they work along side our Central Nervous system removing us for the SNS to the PNS rest and digest! One of my wonderful clients posts!! She’s truly amazing and if you feel the need to just talk to someone step outside the comfort zone Wellness & Wellbeing Counselling - Karen E Jones is amazing welcoming and warm as person.. I highly recommend Karen her knowledge and skill speak for her work with many people everyday.
Survival mode is a term usually used to describe a state in which our nervous system is dysregulated, often because of prolonged stress.
For some of us, it can show up as anxiety with the SNS being dominant, making us on hyper alert, while for others it can present as being more flat and depressed, with the PNS over-functioning.
Both the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system are activated by signals from the brain which responds to stimuli. The SNS acts to help us be ready for a perceived threat/danger, while the PNS acts to help us downregulate after the stress has passed, getting us back into ‘rest and digest’ mode. If, in response to prolonged stress, one of these mechanisms over-functions, we often call it "survival mode".
Sometimes traumatic events trigger our brains into survival mode to get us through the threat. However, continuous lower level stress for extended periods of time like juggling too much in work without enough self care can trigger survival mode.
Chronic stress lingers and feels overwhelming and never-ending, which can wear you down. It can arise from ongoing challenges like long-term financial worries, a demanding job, or continuous family issues.
If you find yourself struggling with symptoms like poor sleep, exhaustion, poor short term memory, constant sense of urgency, feeling detached, racing thoughts etc, try focusing more time on your self care. Practise self compassion, try out new relaxation techniques or hobbies like yoga or meditation. Figure out some of your triggers by writing things out in a journal, and try to counteract the exposure or stressors, for example taking a break from social media or delegating tasks in work. Challenge negative thoughts and replace critical thoughts with kinder, more forgiving ones. Incorporate some breathing exercises and relaxation techniques into your daily life. Try some of the Apps, watch podcasts and listen to Mindful Meditations at bedtime.
Recognising that you’re in survival mode is the first step towards change. Reflect on your current state, and try writing down your thoughts and feelings to help you understand things better.
It is also so important to stay positive even in the darkest moments and science backs that. Due to their innate neuroplasticity, our brains create our own reality, which means our life can improve drastically if we trick our brains to think good thoughts.
Regardless of where you are in your healing process, learning and utilising healthy coping mechanisms can be the difference in how you move forward. Coping skills are not one-size-fits-all, as each person is unique, so the coping mechanisms that work best for each person will vary. Try different techniques out and see what works for you 🙏
