246: Why do I freeze at simple tasks? (functional freeze nervous system, burnout)

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a simple task and wondering why your body won’t move even though your mind understands exactly what needs to be done, this is for you, because that moment is rarely about motivation and much more often about a nervous system that has quietly reached capacity. This episode explores why simple tasks can trigger a freeze response, how to distinguish between overload and threat responses, and introduces a practical two-minute practice to retrain your system. Sheridan, a somatic trauma therapist and yoga therapist, shares insights on managing nervous system responses through somatic practices and behavioral psychology, tailored for those dealing with work, money, and burnout.

00:00 The Procrastination Struggle

01:09 Understanding the Body's Response

02:44 Introduction to Sustainable Success

03:55 Why Simple Tasks Trigger Freeze Response

04:18 Practical Tools and Courses

05:30 The Two-Minute Practice

08:56 Identifying Overload vs. Threat

13:27 Conclusion and Further Resources

Receive Support:

The 5-week Energy Management Program: Work Doesn’t Have to Cost All Your EnergyOne-on-one somatic support for nervous-system-level patterns

Free Resources and Reports:

What if you're not the problem? Full report. Access the full report here: https://sheridanruth.com/what-if-youre-not-the-problem/Burnout Is Weird PDF: 7 real stories of people who stopped trying to “fix themselves” and found steadiness in unexpected ways. click here Read Somatic Intelligence for Success: Nervous system alignment to prevent burnout and leave an impact. Purchase here. Regulation Your Nervous System At Work: Learn to regulate with practices you'll actually use. No need for more time, space or privacy. Download here. Try the Burnout Prevention AI ChatBot: Soma helps you shift out of spirals, self-doubt, and stress-based decision-making—so you can lead from your most grounded, self-aware state. Access here.

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This podcast explores the intersection of sales, money, and business success, offering entrepreneurial insights on overcoming the inner critic, burnout, and the unique challenges of ADHD and autoimmune conditions, while integrating polyvagal theory, Ayurveda, coaching, resilience, regulation, and trauma healing to support holistic growth and thriving in both life and business.