Brain Health
A Recent Study Revealed that Grief Accelerates the Aging Process, and Cereset may have an Important Piece of this Puzzle
Through our extensive work analyzing brain data, we have found it is incredibly common for those who have experienced a recent significant loss to be stuck in a “freeze” state.
The brain reverts to a freeze state when faced with overwhelming stress, trauma, or loss, to protect itself. The entire purpose of a freeze state is to conserve energy, and the brain does this by slowing down functions of the brain and body and minimizing ALL energy expenditure.
A freeze response often manifests as brain fog, a lack of focus, forgetfulness, feeling emotionally “numb” or disconnected, losing interest in things once enjoyed, and low motivation. Physically, a freeze response often presents as low blood pressure, low heart rate, slow circulation, shallow breathing, low energy/fatigue, physical stiffness or heaviness, and slow healing responses.
The signs of a freeze response can often be observed in the moments immediately following the loss of a loved one. For example, you’ve likely heard the following statements made in the aftermath of grief and loss:
- “I feel numb.”
- In a freeze state, the brain dampens emotional responses to protect us from overwhelming grief and pain.
- “This just doesn’t feel real.”
- The brain may dissociate and disconnect in a freeze state, which is part of its defense mechanism.
- “I can’t even process what is happening.”
- Because the brain is aggressively conserving energy in a freeze state, all cognitive processes are slowed, including thinking and decision-making.
As you can imagine, being stuck in a freeze state is not conducive to living a robust and resilient life. Due to the significant energy conservation occurring in a freeze state, the brain and body simply do not have access to the resources necessary to replenish and rejuvenate. In addition, the brain and body are significantly more vulnerable to illnesses, disorders, and injuries when stuck in a prolonged freeze state.
When we know how grief impacts the brain, it is easier to understand how grief can accelerate the aging process. In fact, it may not be grief itself that is the underlying driver of accelerated aging but the brain’s response to grief.
While a freeze response is entirely natural and normal after the loss of a loved one, your brain may need a little help getting “unstuck” if the freeze state lingers on for several months or more. At Cereset, we have helped many clients to move forward in life with hope and optimism after being stuck in a freeze state, and Cereset can do the same for you!
You can read more about the recent study here: https://neurosciencenews.com/grief-aging-genetics-27486/
If you are curious to see if your brain might be stuck in a freeze state, schedule an Introduction to Cereset special at your Cereset center!