Stress, burnout and the “freeze” response in work and job search
Do you know what you need to do, but still find it hard to begin? Perhaps you are avoiding applications, putting off difficult emails, endlessly revising your CV, struggling to make decisions, or simply feeling too overwhelmed to act.
This lunchtime talk explores why prolonged work pressure, uncertainty, redundancy, and job-search stress can leave people feeling stuck. We will look at the common “freeze” response, how it can show up in work and job search, why feeling stuck is often a natural response to prolonged pressure and uncertainty, and how it can be addressed with practical support and manageable next steps.
You will leave with a simple way to notice what is happening, reduce the immediate pressure, and choose one small next step that feels possible.
We will explore:
- Why stress can make action and decision-making more difficult
- How burnout and the freeze response can show up in everyday life
- Why self-criticism often makes stuckness worse
- A simple, practical reset for restarting momentum
Part one of the Reset and Rebuild lunchtime series. STG’s existing workshop approach recognises the emotional toll of being between jobs and includes practical ways of understanding stress responses, including freeze.