So how can we unfreeze ourselves? It begins with acknowledging our stress response and noticing when it flares up. Then, once you’re aware of certain triggers that may cause these responses, grounding techniques can help in the moment.

“Reducing our exposure to stress will help to bring the body back into balance,” says Carson. “Practices such as mindfulness, yoga and meditation will help to calm the mind and make it easier to recover from stress and anxiety.

“If, however, you are a person who has experienced a traumatic event, for example, if you’ve suffered domestic violence or have developed a phobia that brings about a PTSD-like response, then something like hypnotherapy can work with your subconscious to alleviate the problem.

“Generally, not overloading yourself, making time for yourself and getting out in nature will all help to calm the mind and subsequently the body.”

Freeze mode: what is the third stress response, and how does it work?