Ever felt stuck and couldn’t move when scared? That’s called “freeze mode.”

“Freeze mode” is when you can’t move or talk because something really scares you. It’s like how some animals stay very still to hide from danger.

Why does “freeze mode” happen? Here are a few reasons:

1️⃣ Too much stress

When things get really stressful, sometimes the easiest thing for your body to do is just stop moving. This is “freeze mode.”

2️⃣ Bad memories

If something bad happened to you before, and something reminds you of that time, your body might freeze up.

3️⃣ Big surprises

If something surprises you a lot, like a loud sound or something popping up, you might freeze for a little bit.

Here are 3 things you can do to get out of “freeze mode”:

1️⃣ Take deep breaths

Breathing deeply can help calm your body and mind. Try to breathe in slowly, hold it for a few seconds, and then breathe out slowly.

2️⃣ Move your body

Start by wiggling your toes and fingers, then gently move your arms and legs. This helps tell your body that it’s safe to move again.

3️⃣ Talk to yourself

Say something out loud, even if it’s just your name or a simple “I’m okay.” Hearing your own voice can help break the freeze.

It’s normal to go into “freeze mode” sometimes. If we understand it, we can handle it better.

About Kelly Prehn

Kelly's journey began unexpectedly when a Models 1 agent spotted her in Covent Garden during a ballet rehearsal. Despite landing a six-figure Japanese contract immediately, upon arrival in Tokyo she was deemed 'overweight', fired and sent back to London.

Her breakthrough came when Mr. Shu of Shu Uemura recognized her potential, launching her acclaimed career as a beauty and fashion model across Asia—from Japan and Korea to China and Singapore.

A leading cultivator and producer of cultural collaboration and exchange between East and West, Kelly leveraged her industry expertise and transitioned from modeling to sharing beauty insights as a columnist, becoming a highly recognized advocate for niche traditional wellness modalities. She was the first to bring numerous transformative practices to a wider audience. Her influence grows rapidly: 1.4 million books in print, tens of millions of women reached through her teachings on social media, she currently impacts 11 million women monthly—and growing.

HARPER’S BAZAAR

“Kelly Created a Life Changing Method”

MARIE CLAIRE

“Kelly Is A Pop Culture Role Model”