Stuck Not Broken
Stuck Not Broken
Justin Sunseri
Why Meditation May Not Work Well for People in Freeze
20 minutes Posted Feb 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Why Meditation Can Make You More Anxious (You’re Not Broken)
Listener Email + Book 3 Update: Freeze, Flight, and Safety Anchors
What “Safety” Really Means in Polyvagal Theory (Not Just Calm)
Freeze Explained: One Foot on the Gas, One on the Brake
Why Stillness Backfires for Freeze Types (Trapped Feeling)
Movement-Based Safety: Mindful Walking, Swaying, Working Out
The Post-Anchor Anxiety Spike: 3 Reasons It Happens
Work Within Your Capacity: Don’t Overdo the Practice
The Long Game: Building Capacity, Thawing Freeze Slowly
Key Takeaways + Resources + Final Disclaimer
0:00
20:03
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Show notes

Justin Sunseri dives deep into the paradox of meditation and anxiety. If you've ever felt that meditation or breathing exercises make you more anxious, you're not alone—and you're definitely not broken. Justin explains how your nervous system might be signaling for a different approach, especially for those who experience freeze dominance.

🌸 What You'll Learn:

  1. Why freeze types often need movement instead of stillness
  2. The three reasons you might experience anxiety after safety practices
  3. How to work within your capacity and avoid overwhelming your system
  4. Movement-based alternatives to traditional meditation
  5. Understanding the "thawing" process and what to expect

🌸 Resources Mentioned:

  1. Stuck Not Broken: Book 2 (available now) - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/books
  2. Stuck Not Broken: Book 3 (coming mid-2026)
  3. Free Mindful Moments sessions in the Calendar - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/c/calendar/
  4. Unstucking Academy community - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/unstuckingacademy

🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-page

It helps you recognize your state. It never tells you what you are. No quiz, no verdict, no card.

🤩 Ready to go deeper? Explore resources at every price point here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/how-i-can-help-you?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=how-i-can-help

🙂 Don't know the Polyvagal Theory? Catch up here - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0

This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship.  Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms.  Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)

Mentioned in this episode:

Naming Your Stuckness

Not sure which stuck state you're in? That's normal, and more common than you'd think. I made a free page that lays the stuck states out in plain language so you can find words for what you're experiencing. No quiz, no email just to look:

https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=dynamic_spot&utm_campaign=stuck-page