The Other "F" Words: A Deeper Dive into Stress Responses

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Ever heard of the fight-or-flight response? Of course you have. But what about the other F words—freeze, fawn, and faint? No, we’re not kidding. In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Erin and Cinnamon take a hilarious yet insightful dive into the often-overlooked stress responses that make up our brain’s survival playbook. This conversation will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about how we handle stress and high-pressure moments.

From breaking down what each response looks like to sharing real-world examples and personal anecdotes (yes, goats made the cut), Erin and Cinnamon explore how these F words show up in everyday life, on the job, and in relationships. They also tackle why recognizing these responses can help you manage stress better—and how they’re not signs of weakness, but your body’s way of trying to protect you.

Key Takeaways:

• Fight and Flight Aren’t the Only Players: Stress isn’t always about going full battle mode or running away. Freeze, fawn, and faint are just as normal (and important).
• Freeze = Hit Pause: When your brain says “time out,” your body goes into freeze mode. It’s not about giving up—it’s about giving yourself time to recalibrate.
• Fawn = People-Pleasing: Ever bent over backwards to keep the peace? That’s your brain’s way of saying, “If I keep everyone happy, I’ll stay safe.” But let’s be honest, that doormat award isn’t worth the cost to your soul.
• Faint = System Overload: Sometimes, your body just hits the emergency shut-off switch. Think goats. Enough said.
• Recognize the F Words: Knowing which stress response you default to can help you manage it better. Awareness is the first step.
• You’re Not a Robot: Humans aren’t machines. It’s okay to hit pause, ask for help, and admit you’re not fine.

Erin & Cinnamon’s Challenge:

The next time you’re stressed, stop for a moment and ask yourself: Which F word am I using? Is it freeze, fawn, faint, fight, or flight? Naming it is the first step to managing it. And hey, if you can’t figure it out, send a message to Erin and Cinnamon on the hotline—they’ve got your back.

Join the Conversation:

Got a question about stress responses? Want help figuring out which F word you’re rocking this week? Leave us a voicemail on the hotline at AfterTheTonesDrop.com. It’s anonymous unless you want to tell us who you are, and we’d love to hear from you!

DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information.

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat):

• https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR
• https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM
• https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE
• https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS
• https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74
• https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus
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• https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough
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