top of page
Search

Breaking Free from Survival Mode

ree

Have you ever felt like your body was running you—rather than you running your body?


That’s survival mode. And as school season begins, it can show up for both parents and kids in surprising ways.


Survival Mode for Parents & Kids

  • For Moms and Dads: worries about safety, clothing, food, friendships, and sports for their children.

  • For Kids and Teens: pressure to fit in, eat what they want, get into the right classes, or find the right friends.


All of these stressors trigger the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response—the nervous system’s way of prioritizing safety over growth, healing, and joy.


Signs You’re Stuck in Fight, Flight, or Freeze

  • Poor sleep and fatigue

  • Anxiety and irritability

  • Gut issues

  • Brain fog and weight gain

  • Fast heart rate and higher blood pressure

  • Cold hands and feet

  • Tense muscles

  • Increased breathing rate


When this happens, your body isn’t broken—it’s just responding to the environment you’re in.


What Happens in the Brain

  • Cortisol overload → blood sugar imbalances, hormone disruption

  • Amygdala hijack → you become emotionally reactive

  • Frontal lobe shutdown → poor focus, decision-making, and executive function


This is why it feels so hard to “just calm down” when you’re overwhelmed. Your brain chemistry and stress pathways are literally wired for survival in that moment.


How to Break Free from Survival Mode

The good news? Small shifts can make a huge difference.

  • Breathe with rhythm: Inhale for a count of 2, exhale for a count of 4 → vagus nerve reset.

  • Eat anti-inflammatory foods: Curcumin, resveratrol, glutathione, vitamins A & D.

  • Get adjusted: Adjustments stimulate the frontal lobe and calm stress patterns.

  • Laser therapy: Stimulates specific brain and body areas for faster regulation.

  • Stabilize blood sugar: Keep glucose between 85–100.

  • Hydrate & replenish minerals: Sodium and potassium help calm the nervous system.


These minor shifts can create major changes in how you feel and function.


The Takeaway

If you’re feeling burned out, tired, anxious, or overwhelmed—you’re not broken. Your nervous system is simply stuck in survival mode. With the right support, you can calm your brain, reset your body, and step back into healing and joy.


If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us today to set up your initial examination or join us at an upcoming workshop.


Life Springs Family Chiropractic – Denver, CO

Call/Text: (303) 770-0605


bottom of page