Nervous system health and performance problems
A few weeks ago, our Figure Skating community was greatly saddened by the recent plane crash.
We can feel strong and obvious reactions associated with a traumatic event. Shock, numbness, sadness, anger, grief.
There are also many subtle reactions that we might not be aware of.
As human beings, when a traumatic event happens, we naturally identify with the situation. We put ourselves in the situation and then if it’s too upsetting to us, we shut down.
This is natural. The only job of our nervous system is to keep us safe. When it senses danger, real or imagined, it mobilizes to protect us.
The nervous system will activate to help us fight or flee.
If we can’t Fight (there is nothing tangible to fight), and we can’t Flee (nothing to run from or nowhere to run to)…We shut down.
Freeze This is our nervous system’s normal biological response to danger.
The Freeze response kicks in to shut us down. It protects us just like an impala will “play dead” when caught by a cheetah. The cheetah loses interest in a “dead” prey, and the impala survives the danger.
Someone in Freeze might describe; being numb, feeling off, feeling down, unable to focus, unmotivated, confused, in a brain fog, overwhelmed, easily upset, quick to cry, anxious, and/or sad.
These feelings are normal.
Each individual’s nervous system sensitivity is uniquely wired. In addition, each person has unique life experiences and situations that can complicate their nervous system response.
If a person’s nervous system is re-traumatized, unable to settle, or gets stuck in freeze, it is also possible for these feelings to persist long after the event.
This freeze reaction can cause post traumatic stress reactions.
Here are a few examples:
- It can come out in lack of motivation to train.
- In a sudden fear of flying.
- School assignments take twice as long as they should.
- It becomes difficult to concentrate or focus during training.
- Struggling on elements that used to be consistent.
It could also lead to performance problems, now, or down the road if not processed through.
You start struggling with your triples.
Trauma that is not processed through can go “underground” in the body and be triggered weeks, months or even years down the road.
If you or someone you love seems to be struggling, it is important to deal with this now.
Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns.