You’re Not Lazy—You’re Overstimulated: How to Get Out of Survival Mode

Jul 25

You open your eyes and already feel behind. You’ve got texts to respond to, emails piling up, a to-do list that doesn’t quit. You drink coffee to focus, scroll to escape, and promise yourself you’ll get it together tomorrow.

But then tomorrow feels the same. And the next day. And the next.

You’re not lazy. You’re overstimulated.
And more pressure, more discipline, and more self-judgment aren’t going to fix it.

The modern-day “freeze” state (and why so many people are in it)

We live in a world that never turns off. Your phone dings 24/7. Your brain is constantly processing notifications, decisions, noise, demands. Your nervous system is trying to keep up with it all—but it can’t.

So instead of doing more, your body hits the brakes.

You feel unmotivated, disconnected, tired-but-wired, behind on everything, and frustrated that you “can’t get it together.”
But this isn’t laziness—it’s survival mode.

What survival mode actually feels like

It’s not just stress. It’s a full-body response.

You might feel:

Foggy and unfocused
Emotionally numb or flat
Easily overwhelmed by small decisions
Constantly tired but unable to rest
Disconnected from habits you know help you

This is what happens when your nervous system is stuck in freeze or fight mode—your body trying to protect you from doing more when it doesn’t feel safe.

A client story: “I know what to do… but I’m not doing anything”

One of my clients came to me in what she called a “funk.” She had goals, she had tools, she had experience. But she couldn’t get herself to meal prep, walk, journal—anything.

She thought she was unmotivated. But once we talked, it was clear she was overloaded. Her work stress was high. She wasn’t sleeping. She was constantly on screens. Her nervous system was fried.

We didn’t add more. We subtracted.
→ Short walks outside, no phone
→ 10-minute wind-down before bed
→ One nourishing meal each day—not perfect, just intentional
→ A list of “low-effort, low-stimulation” options for evenings

Within two weeks, she started to feel like herself again. Not because she tried harder—but because she came back to safety first.

What your body needs more than another productivity hack

If you’ve been stuck in survival mode, your body doesn’t need more structure or intensity. It needs to feel safe enough to function.

Here’s how we help it downshift:

1. Regulate your nervous system daily.
This doesn’t need to be fancy. Try:

Breathing in for 4, holding for 4, exhaling for 6
Lying on the floor with your legs up the wall
Going for a slow walk without your phone
Splashing your face with cold water
Playing calming music and lighting a candle while you cook

These little acts signal to your body: “We’re okay. We don’t need to be on high alert.”

2. Reduce stimulation where you can.

Start your morning without immediately checking your phone
Turn off notifications
Create tech-free time in the evening
Do one thing at a time—no more multitasking meals, calls, and social media all at once

3. Build low-effort habits that help.
Don’t aim for your A+ routine right now. Aim for the B- version that still supports you.
→ A pre-made protein shake
→ Stretching while watching a show
→ Journaling one sentence before bed
→ Putting your phone in another room while you eat

The goal isn’t to do more—it’s to come back online

When you’re regulated, your brain works better. Your cravings settle. Your energy stabilizes. Your ability to show up for your habits comes back—not because you pushed harder, but because your body stopped bracing for impact.