You might quietly wonder, Why do I feel restless when everything is okay? Or Why do I miss the intensity of things that you know weren’t good for you?

If this is your experience, it’s not a personal failure. It’s a reflection of how deeply your nervous system has adapted to survive.

Many people assume this is procrastination or a lack of discipline. But in many cases, what looks like procrastination is actually something psychologists call functional freeze—a nervous system response to anxiety.

If you are experiencing this, you are not alone. Periods of international conflict often create widespread psychological stress. Our minds are naturally wired to scan for danger, and constant exposure to alarming news can keep our nervous system in a heightened state of alert.

If you experience chest tightness, stomach pain, headaches, muscle tension, jaw pain, or fatigue, but medical tests come back normal, you may be dealing with physical symptoms of anxiety.

Have you noticed your anxiety levels dropping when you have the chance to step away from technology for a few days? Maybe you feel especially calm when you are hiking or camping.