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There have been moments, too many if I’m honest, when I wanted to speak but couldn’t. The words were there, alive inside me, but my throat closed. My body stiffened. My mind went blank. I couldn’t respond, even though I wanted to.

At first, I thought this was just anxiety. Or maybe I was being too sensitive or overthinking. But what I’ve come to learn, both in my personal healing and my professional work, is this:

It’s not weakness. It’s the freeze response.

What Is the Freeze Response?

Our nervous system is wired for protection. When we perceive danger (even emotional or relational danger), our bodies automatically respond. You’ve probably heard of fight and flight, but there’s also freeze—a survival state where the body becomes immobilized.

This happens when your system believes it's not safe to fight or run, so it shuts you down instead. It’s like your body hits the “pause” button in an attempt to protect you.

The freeze response can look like:

• Going blank in a conversation
• Feeling like you’re watching yourself from the outside
• Losing your train of thought
• Feeling tightness in your throat or chest
• Smiling or nodding even when you disagree
• Later obsessing over what you wish you had said
• 
  

I still experience it sometimes. I’ll be mid-conversation, one moment fully present and then something shifts. A word, a tone, a look, even a smell. And suddenly, I feel paralyzed. I shut down.

The Emotional Toll of Not Speaking Up

What’s just as difficult as the freeze itself is the inner dialogue that follows. I used to replay those moments for hours, wondering what was wrong with me. Why couldn’t I just speak up?

But the real question I needed to ask wasn’t “What’s wrong with me?” it was “What part of me doesn’t feel safe?”

This shift changes everything.

When your body doesn’t feel safe to express, it won’t. And that’s not something to be ashamed of it’s something to meet with compassion.

Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” Theory and the Power of Reframing

I’ve found so much power in the work of Mel Robbins, especially her Let Them theory. She reminds us that we can’t control how others react to us but we can control how we show up for ourselves.

I used to enter conversations thinking,

“I hope they like what I say.”

Now I ask,
“Do I like who I’m speaking with? Do I feel safe, heard, and aligned?”

That shift from external approval to internal alignment is what nervous system healing is all about.

And when I can’t get the words out, I try another Mel-inspired reframe:

“Let me pause.”
“Let me come back to this.”
“Let me speak when I’m ready.”

Let me.
Let them.
Let me be safe enough to stay.

Supporting the Nervous System Naturally

As a nurse and coach at a Functional Medicine Clinic, I believe deeply in a root-cause approach. And when it comes to the freeze response and emotional overwhelm, the nervous system is the root.

Healing requires both emotional and biological support. Here are a few things that help:

🌿 Lifestyle & Somatic Practices:

• Gentle movement (like yoga or stretching)
• Grounding techniques: feet on the earth, holding something textured, cold water on the face
• Nervous system check-ins: “What do I need to feel safe in this moment?”
• Journaling what you wanted to say, even if it comes out later

💊 Targeted Supplements from the Just Be Well Shop:

These are some of my go-to formulas that support nervous system regulation, stress resilience, and emotional steadiness:

1. ANS Relax – A calming blend of nutrients and adaptogens that helps relax the body and reduce tension without sedation.
2. ANS Serenity – Designed to promote emotional balance and stress resilience, this formula supports a grounded, calm mental state.
3. Magnesium Glycinate – Known to ease muscle tension, calm the nervous system, and support sleep, magnesium is a cornerstone for anyone healing from stress-related symptoms.

Each of these supplements is third-party tested, formulated for bioavailability, and selected with nervous system healing in mind.

A Final Word: You Are Not Broken

If your voice has ever felt stuck, if you’ve felt invisible, unheard, or paralyzed in the moment you are not alone. And you are not broken.

Your body is trying to protect you the best way it knows how.

Healing isn’t about pushing through, it’s about gently teaching your system that it's safe to be seen and heard again. That your voice matters. That you matter.

So, when the next conversation comes and you feel that freeze rise in your chest, pause. Breathe. Say to yourself:

“Let me take my time. Let me feel safe. Let me come back to myself.”

Because every time you do, you reclaim a piece of your voice.
And your voice is sacred.

-Elizabeth