Blog — communication skills

The Freeze Stress Response: Why You Go Deer in the Headlights

An explanation of the freeze stress response—how the nervous system shuts down or immobilizes under stress and trauma, why it happens, and examples of what it can look like in everyday life.

The Fight Response to Stress and Trauma Explained

Learn how the fight stress response works, what's happening in your body physically, why it can activate so quickly, and how it may appear as anger, defensiveness, or confrontation during stress or trauma.

Four Fs of Stress and Trauma: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn Explained

Have you ever found yourself reacting to stress in ways that seem out of your control? Those automatic responses can get you in trouble! They can mess with your relationships, work life, and personal well-being.

You are probably aware of the fight-or-flight emergency stress response concept, but may not know that 2-only list of instinctual reactions has been expanded as more research into stress has been performed.

As the list has grown, the F alliteration has remained. The expanded list includes Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn. (Some have added others like Faint or Flop, and Friend. I'll explain why I don't typically include these when talking about the stress response.)

Recognizing the Four Fs stress response can empower you to better manage stress and make healthier choices in challenging situations.

15 Research-Based Emotional Intelligence Benefits

Sorting out the hype from reality, this article presents the research-based benefits of having a high emotional intelligence, and its link to relationships, success, and wellbeing.

Emotion Vocabulary: Why It Matters and How to Build It

Building emotion vocabulary is one of the easiest ways to increase emotional intelligence. Learn why having more words to describe feelings improves self-awareness, communication, and relationships, and discover practical ways to expand your emotion vocabulary using my 101 Emotions List and other resources.

Is The Way You are Listening Damaging Your Relationship?

Think you're listening—but your partner says they don’t feel heard? You might be using “Not Listening Skills” that frustrate your partner and escalate conflict instead of resolving it. This post breaks down common listening mistakes and points you toward an easy resource for upgrading your communication, repairing old hurts, and rebuilding connection.