Your stress response

What you instinctively do when stress hits.

The 'four Fs' (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) are a popular way to describe instinctive reactions to stress. A light, everyday self-description — not a diagnosis. Shared only if you choose. (Stress responses (the four Fs))

Groups

• Fight — You confront and push back under pressure.
• Flight — You escape, busy yourself or step away.
• Freeze — You go still or shut down for a while.
• Fawn — You smooth things over and keep the peace.
• Steady — You tend to stay calm and composed.

Related topics

• Neurodivergence
• Mental-health experience
• What supports your wellbeing
• How you cope with hard times
• What makes you flourish (PERMA)
• Self-compassion
• Emotion regulation (reappraisal & suppression)

All topics on ArtaQuest