The article discusses how staring into space or at walls is not laziness, but a coping mechanism for the brain amidst stress. Experts like Rod Mitchell and Cheryl Groskopf explain this behavior as a protective dissociation response, serving as the nervous system's way to pause and recharge when overwhelmed. This reaction is particularly relevant for parents and those under constant stress, illustrating the brain's attempt to manage sensory overload and maintain a degree of awareness even during moments of disengagement.
"It's your nervous system's emergency brake," says Rod Mitchell. "When we stare at walls or space out when stressed, we're experiencing a protective dissociation response."
"When you're overwhelmed for too long, your system flips into what's basically a freeze state - not full panic, not fully present either." - Cheryl Groskopf.
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