Sometimes after a long, productive day, I only have the energy to scroll on social media and lie on my couch. Apparently what I experience is common enough to have its own name.

“Functional freeze” is a mind-body response to stress and overwhelm that typically involves having a hard time choosing which task to complete next, and instead spending hours in one spot, says Liz Tenuto, who has a degree in psychology and is an instructor of somatic exercise.

Sometimes a person can get their tasks done during the day, but “then when they get home and when they finish everything, they just completely crash out and have a hard time getting out of bed,” says Tenuto, who is known on social media as “The Workout Witch.” 

“Essentially,” when this happens, she says, you’re “conserving as much energy as possible before you start tomorrow.”

Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Feeling emotionally numb and often disassociating
• Self-isolating and no longer feeling social
• Having sleep issues or feeling constantly exhausted
• Excessive social media use
• Spending too much time watching TV

 “Movement is the best way to come out,” Tenuto says. But you don’t want to exhaust yourself with intense exercise. Instead she suggests micro-movements like breathwork or pulling on your ears, working your way up or down the length of each lobe.

The next time I feel glued to my bed after a busy day, I’ll try gentle exercises to slowly boost my energy instead of making myself feel bad for being exhausted.

CNBC