There are people who fall into what’s called a “survival mode” when things are getting bad. This means they’re basically trying to make it through each day, with stress and pressure that never really goes away. It can feel as if there isn’t any time to relax or even think about anything other than the next job, the next invoice, the next issue.
Survival mode doesn’t always seem obvious on the outside, but there are certain patterns that emerge when you’re locked into it. These can really take a lot out of someone’s health, relationships and happiness. These are 10 habits that tend to show up when one is in survival mode.
They’re Always on Edge
People in survival mode may appear anxious or agitated and get startled easily. They can jump at small everyday noises or surprises. They’re always on guard, like they’re scanning for danger; they might be burnt out by having to be constantly alert. This can lead them to snap at people or lose their cool pretty quickly (which they wouldn’t normally).
They Avoid Making Long-Term Plans
People in survival mode hardly think beyond today or tomorrow. The future feels like a huge mountain to climb. They’re only thinking about the next task at hand, such as today’s work or this month’s rent. They might want to dream bigger things but their minds are too busy worrying now. They put off plans for vacations, family or even future life plans because the future seems too dark and uncertain to even think about.
They Keep Their Circle Small
When people are overwhelmed, socializing can be another thing that they “need to do.” They might begin to steer clear of friends, skip out on social gatherings, and stay at home. That is not to say that they don’t care about people; it is just tiresome to engage with them. They may have too much energy left over to ramble or gossip about the lives of others. So they attend to the small number of closest people they know, if any.
They’re Overly Cautious with Money
Money stress plays a large role in people’s survival mode. They don’t want to run out of money for an emergency, so they hang on to every dollar. To spend on something you don’t really need: a restaurant meal, a pair of new shoes, is risky. Even when they need something, they hold back in fear that they’ll end up regretting it. They may not indulge themselves, even occasionally, because they think they might later need money desperately.
They Struggle to Focus
It’s very difficult to concentrate in survival mode because their brains are constantly full of anxiety. They can struggle to concentrate on something for too long without getting distracted. This makes even small jobs seem like a chore. They can forget things at work or school, get distracted & make mistakes because their brains are flooded with all the pressure.
They Have Trouble Sleeping
Sleep problems are common among those in survival mode. They can’t shut off their minds when they go to sleep; thinking about what went wrong, what could go wrong, and what to do the next day. Even when they go to sleep, they wake up in the middle of the night. Or they might not feel well-rested in the morning.
This insufficient sleep just makes them more stressed out, and it ends up being a vicious circle; constantly exhausted but unable to relax enough to actually sleep.
They Avoid Taking Risks
In survival mode, people don’t want to do anything that feels like a big step or risk. This can be job changes, house moves or trying something new. They don’t venture into the unknown because it is too much. It may stress them out if they try something new. They are risk-averse and stay in less than perfect environments simply because it’s less risky than making a change.
They Put Themselves Last
People do not even think about needs while in survival mode. There’s no time for them to exercise, or eat well, or rest, so they don’t. Their focus is just to survive the day, so they skip self-love. Even if they do know they need to look after themselves, it just won’t happen because so many other things are running around their heads.
They React Strongly to Small Problems
When people are on the edge, even the tiniest problems can be big disasters. Things they might not normally find bothersome are now stressful. They can get angry, irritated or even tearful because they have so much stress on their plates that there isn’t time for another issue. That fierce response means that their brains are so overtaxed they’re not patient enough for little mistakes.
They Seem Emotionally Detached
Survivors feel distant or numb, unconnected. They might go through the motions, doing what they have to do without much emotion. They may not be as excited, happy or sad as they normally would. They’re all shut down emotionally, just trying to make it through the day. It can make them look uninterested or unfeeling, even though in the heart of their hearts they care; they’re just too drained to let it out.
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