The fight-flight-freeze stress response is the biological foundation of many sport and competition presentations. Understanding it demystifies sport and competition and points toward effective interventions.
The Three Stress Responses in Sport and Competition
Fight: Anger, aggression, irritability — sport and competition channeled outward
Flight: Avoidance, escape, withdrawal — the most common sport and competition behavioral pattern
Freeze: Paralysis, numbness, shutdown — depression and dissociation-type sport and competition
How Chronic Activation Drives Sport and Competition
When the stress response activates repeatedly or doesn't turn off, it creates the chronic physiological state underlying sport and competition: elevated cortisol, dysregulated neurotransmitters, disrupted sleep.
Working With Your Stress Response in Sport and Competition
- Name it: 'My nervous system is in fight/flight/freeze right now'
- Move: Physical movement discharges the mobilization energy of fight/flight
- Breathe: Activates the off-switch for the stress response
- Connect: Safe social engagement signals to the nervous system that the threat has passed