Hello !
We all go through seasons where it feels like we’re just trying to make it through the day. Maybe your to-do list keeps growing, your patience is thin, and you can’t remember the last time you felt rested or inspired. That constant edge? That’s survival mode.
Survival mode isn’t laziness, lack of motivation, or a character flaw. It’s your nervous system doing its job under prolonged stress—keeping you alert, reactive, and focused on simply getting through. Do you relate to those feelings? It’s a useful response in crisis. But when it becomes a lifestyle, it wears us down.
I certainly relate to those feelings and I sense that I
have been in survival mode for awhile. I definitely know I am experiencing some of the signs listed below. Nothing unusually overwhelming occurred in my life recently, so I can't say it is anything specific that triggered it in me. I think it is the result of an accumulation of small to medium stressors that caused me to unknowingly slip into survival mode. Now, I am focused on taking care of myself as I emerge from this blah feeling so I can get back to feeling more at ease.
You might not even realize it’s happening, especially if you’re used to being the one others rely on. Here is what I uncovered about survival mode and the steps you can take to overcome it and get back to living the life you want for yourself...
Signs You Might Be in Survival Mode
- Everything feels urgent or overwhelming, even small decisions.
- You’ve lost interest in things you used to enjoy.
- You feel drained, physically and emotionally, no matter how much sleep you get.
- It’s hard to concentrate, and you forget things more easily.
- You feel agitated or numb, and switching off your mind seems impossible.
- You’re more
reactive than usual—with yourself and others.
The Cost of Staying in Survival Mode
Staying in this state long-term takes a toll. It can impact your sleep, your immune system, and your ability to think clearly. It can strain relationships, lower your performance at work, and slowly disconnect you from your own sense of purpose.
You’re surviving—but not really living.
So, How Do You Start Moving Out of It?
Here’s the good news: shifting out of survival mode doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your life. It starts with small, consistent steps that help signal to your body and mind that it’s safe to slow down.
- Notice without judgment. Recognizing that you're in survival mode is powerful in itself. You're not failing—you're responding
to a lot.
- Be kind to yourself. You wouldn't criticize someone else for being tired in a storm. Offer yourself that same grace.
- Make space to recharge. Even ten minutes of deep breathing, stretching, or walking can shift your internal state.
- Set clearer boundaries. Your time, energy, and attention are not infinite. Protect them.
- Reach out. Talk to someone who gets it. You don’t have to carry
everything alone.
- Practice presence. Mindfulness techniques help rewire a stressed brain. Simple, intentional pauses can do more than you think.
- Acknowledge progress. If you took one step forward today, that matters.
You don’t need to wait until things fall apart to make a change. You deserve to feel steady, clear, and whole—not just functional.
Survival mode might be familiar, but it’s not where we are meant to stay. And the path back to yourself doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to start.
Be patient with yourself, you're not failing... you're healing!
With loving support,
