Latest news with #LizTenuto
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Stuck in bed after work? You might be in ‘functional freeze'. Here is how to get over it
After clocking out of work and ticking off your to‑do list, you might expect a sense of relief. Instead, you find yourself glued to your bed, doom‑scrolling aimlessly and unable to face simple tasks. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing what movement expert Liz Tenuto calls 'functional freeze,' a stress‑induced shutdown of mind and body that leaves high‑achievers immobilized the moment they stop pressing forward. When Success Leads to Shutdown In a recent interview with CNBC Make It , Tenuto—better known online as 'The Workout Witch'—explained that functional freeze is a form of the body's natural freeze response, triggered by chronic overwhelm rather than immediate danger. 'A lot of women get all of their tasks done during the day,' she said, 'then when they get home and finish everything, they completely crash and have a hard time getting out of bed.' Despite outward success, those in this state may feel emotionally numb, dissociated, or trapped in endless hours of passive screen time. The Hidden Signs of a Freeze People in functional freeze often mask their distress with productivity, only to find themselves incapacitated afterward. They might struggle to cry or feel social, wrestle with unexplained aches or gut issues, and lean on alcohol or online distractions to numb the emptiness. Even routine household chores can feel insurmountable, as decision‑making grinds to a halt and the simplest actions require Herculean effort. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tan Dinh: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo Thawing Out: Movement as Medicine iStock Breathwork, yoga, or simply a twenty‑minute stroll around your neighborhood can also prompt emotional processing and help reset your nervous system. (Representational Image: iStock) Tenuto, who holds a degree in psychology and trains clients in somatic therapy , argues that the antidote to functional freeze is not more rest but carefully calibrated motion. 'Movement is the best way to come out of freeze,' she said, cautioning against jumping into intense workouts that your exhausted body can't sustain. Instead, she recommends somatic exercises—slow, mindful movements such as gentle ear pulls that stimulate the vagus nerve, or subtle rocking on each side of the body to release tension and restore energy. You Might Also Like: How some people feel rested with just 3 hours of sleep: The science behind the super sleepers who defy the 8-hour rule Breathwork, yoga, or simply a twenty‑minute stroll around your neighborhood can also prompt emotional processing and help reset your nervous system. One practice Tenuto demonstrates on TikTok involves slowly turning the head while holding the chin, a micro‑movement that can reduce anxiety and encourage your mind to reengage with the world. Why Sitting Still Can Backfire Despite the allure of sinking deeper into the covers, Tenuto warns that further immobility can actually reinforce the freeze response. 'Relaxing more and not moving at all can exacerbate functional freeze,' she told. The key, she insists, is gentle but consistent action—tiny steps that remind your body it is safe to thaw and rejoin the flow of daily life. If you find yourself paralyzed by exhaustion and stress each evening, consider that your body may be signaling a deeper need for mindful movement rather than more rest. Embracing somatic techniques could be the very thing that frees you to tackle tomorrow's chores—one micro‑movement at a time. You Might Also Like: Feeling lethargic and sleepy? Hyderabad doctor fixes patient's sleep, reverses BP and triggers 8kg weight loss
Economic Times
a day ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Stuck in bed after work? You might be in ‘functional freeze'. Here is how to get over it
Feeling emotionally numb, doom-scrolling all night, or unable to move after a productive day? You could be experiencing 'functional freeze'—a subtle stress response impacting thousands. According to somatic therapist Liz Tenuto, tiny physical movements like gentle ear pulls or breathwork can break the cycle and revive your energy. It's time to thaw out and take control. Ever find yourself utterly drained after work, unable to even fold laundry or make dinner? You might be stuck in a little-known state called 'functional freeze.' (Representational Image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads When Success Leads to Shutdown The Hidden Signs of a Freeze Thawing Out: Movement as Medicine Breathwork, yoga, or simply a twenty‑minute stroll around your neighborhood can also prompt emotional processing and help reset your nervous system. (Representational Image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why Sitting Still Can Backfire After clocking out of work and ticking off your to‑do list, you might expect a sense of relief. Instead, you find yourself glued to your bed, doom‑scrolling aimlessly and unable to face simple tasks. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing what movement expert Liz Tenuto calls 'functional freeze,' a stress‑induced shutdown of mind and body that leaves high‑achievers immobilized the moment they stop pressing a recent interview with CNBC Make It, Tenuto—better known online as 'The Workout Witch'—explained that functional freeze is a form of the body's natural freeze response, triggered by chronic overwhelm rather than immediate danger. 'A lot of women get all of their tasks done during the day,' she said, 'then when they get home and finish everything, they completely crash and have a hard time getting out of bed.' Despite outward success, those in this state may feel emotionally numb, dissociated, or trapped in endless hours of passive screen in functional freeze often mask their distress with productivity, only to find themselves incapacitated afterward. They might struggle to cry or feel social, wrestle with unexplained aches or gut issues, and lean on alcohol or online distractions to numb the emptiness. Even routine household chores can feel insurmountable, as decision‑making grinds to a halt and the simplest actions require Herculean who holds a degree in psychology and trains clients in somatic therapy , argues that the antidote to functional freeze is not more rest but carefully calibrated motion. 'Movement is the best way to come out of freeze,' she said, cautioning against jumping into intense workouts that your exhausted body can't sustain. Instead, she recommends somatic exercises—slow, mindful movements such as gentle ear pulls that stimulate the vagus nerve, or subtle rocking on each side of the body to release tension and restore yoga, or simply a twenty‑minute stroll around your neighborhood can also prompt emotional processing and help reset your nervous system. One practice Tenuto demonstrates on TikTok involves slowly turning the head while holding the chin, a micro‑movement that can reduce anxiety and encourage your mind to reengage with the the allure of sinking deeper into the covers, Tenuto warns that further immobility can actually reinforce the freeze response. 'Relaxing more and not moving at all can exacerbate functional freeze,' she told. The key, she insists, is gentle but consistent action—tiny steps that remind your body it is safe to thaw and rejoin the flow of daily you find yourself paralyzed by exhaustion and stress each evening, consider that your body may be signaling a deeper need for mindful movement rather than more rest. Embracing somatic techniques could be the very thing that frees you to tackle tomorrow's chores—one micro‑movement at a time.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The five sleep positions you should NEVER ignore and what they reveal about your personality
How do you sleep in bed? Like a T-Rex with arms bent in front of you? Or a mountain climber, with one knee almost touching your chest? According to Liz Tenuto, also known as the Workout Witch, the position you adopt can tell a great deal about you – and the way you deal with stress.
