In the world that we are living in, stress has become a constant companion for many of us. Whether it's due to world events, work pressure, money, family issues or unexpected events, chronic stress triggers the body's natural response known as “fight, flight or freeze.” Although this innate survival mechanism is crucial in life-threatening situations, it can hinder the healing process if activated continuously. Understanding the impact of “fight or flight” on our ability to heal is essential for achieving optimal well-being.

The Subconscious Mind's Role in Healing:

To really understand the connection between the fight/flight/freeze response and healing, we must explore the subconscious mind. This powerful aspect of our psyche influences our behaviors, emotions, and physical well-being. When we experience chronic stress, the subconscious mind perceives it as an ongoing threat, triggering the stress response. In this state, the body prioritizes survival mechanisms over healing processes, redirecting energy and resources away from restoring balance and rejuvenating the body.

This core issue may be the single reason you are not seeing progress in your healing journey.

Our breathing becomes shallow, glucose is released into the blood, the hormones cortisol and adrenaline increase, and digestive function slows dramatically. To prevent these responses, we need to learn to calm ourselves down in traffic, when dealing with chaos at home and retrain how we think about things moment to moment. Otherwise, our system will constantly feel under attack and will be working against us, instead of for us.

So what are 3 ways to train and soothe our nervous system?

Deep Breathing and Mindful Practices:
One of the simplest and most effective ways to calm the nervous system is through deep breathing and mindful practices. By consciously slowing down and deepening our breaths, we activate the body's relaxation response, known as the parasympathetic nervous system. This response counteracts the fight or flight mode, signaling the body that it is safe to heal. Engaging in activities such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi can further enhance the relaxation response and promote overall well-being.
Brain Retraining with Hypnosis:
Harnessing the power of the subconscious mind, hypnosis offers a valuable tool for calming the nervous system and facilitating healing. Through hypnosis, individuals can create theta brain waves and access the subconscious mind directly, allowing for positive suggestions and imagery to be imprinted on a deeper level. This process helps reframe stress responses, reduce anxiety, and promote a state of deep relaxation. By retraining the brain's response to stressors, hypnosis empowers individuals to overcome the fight or flight mode and embrace healing.
Cold Water Face Immersion:
While it may seem unconventional, immersing your face in cold water can have an immediate calming effect on the nervous system. This technique stimulates the mammalian dive reflex, a natural response triggered by the face's contact with cold water. The dive reflex activates the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing down the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. This physiological response induces a sense of calmness, reducing the fight or flight response and creating a conducive environment for healing. And the best part? Its completely free and easy to do at home.

I have seen it so many times in my practice. Clients are responding to treatment and they swear they are eating right and taking their supplements. 9/10 what is happenings is the fight or flight response, triggered by chronic stress, is hindering the healing process by diverting the body's resources away from restoration and rejuvenation. However, by understanding the role of the subconscious mind and implementing effective techniques to calm the nervous system, clients can overcome this obstacle and support their healing journey. Deep breathing and mindful practices, brain retraining through hypnosis, and cold water face immersion are just three of the many powerful methods to counteract the fight or flight response and promote healing. Embracing these techniques empowers individuals to cultivate a state of relaxation and well-being, allowing their bodies to heal naturally and holistically. Remember, true healing begins when the mind and body are in harmony.

If you are curious about how to start nourishing your nervous system and start a step by step program towards healing, be sure you check out my Sacred Wellness Foundations class. The entire 2nd Module is dedicated to “Creating a Healing Environment” for the body and it includes everything you need to know to get your body out of fight or flight. It also includes a custom hypnotic track that I had made just for this class by world renowned hypnosis or Oracle CEO, Nathaly Granja.

Carli created WELLNESS BY CARLI to combine her love of real food with her knowledge of functional medicine. These article are to share what she has learned to hopefully help you heal and feel your best!