i am this breath: a practice for uncertain times
When we allow our heart to close in response to fear arising, we begin to separate ourselves from the very connections- even remotely or energetically- that help us to heal.
The Link Between Anxiety and Autoimmune Conditions: Finding Peace in the Overwhelm for women in Oregon
Research has shown that chronic stress can exacerbate autoimmune conditions and even play a role in their onset, alongside other contributing factors. . Anxiety keeps your nervous system in a state of hyper-vigilance, which can further destabilize your body’s natural rhythms. If you’ve ever noticed how your autoimmune symptoms flare during periods of high stress or how living with an unpredictable body heightens your anxiety, you’re experiencing this connection firsthand.
What is functional freeze, and how does it relate to anxiety and stress?
Functional freeze is a protective response from your nervous system. When you face stress or danger, your body has a few options: fight, flight, or freeze. Freeze happens when neither fighting nor fleeing feels possible. You have high peaks (anxiety, panic, overwhelm), and low valleys (freeze). Your system "freezes" to keep you safe by conserving energy and avoiding harm.