Fear Responses: Fight Flight Freeze

Our nervous system reacts to stress and safety, moving between three main states. When we feel safe and connected we are in the green zone called social engagement where emotions like joy, curiosity, and compassion thrive.

When stress builds we can shift into the yellow and red sympathetic zone where fight or flight kicks in with feelings like fear, panic, or anger. If things get too overwhelming we move into the blue freeze zone where our system shuts down with numbness, hopelessness, or disconnection.

Understanding these states helps us notice where we are and what we might need to move back toward safety and balance.