Tackling emotional triggers

Why is tackling emotional triggers important?

• It's not important

• Negative emotions are healthy most of the time, so it's okay to be triggered

• Being triggered by negative emotions is unhealthy when they become so strong and overwhelming that you feel out of control or take your emotions out on others

• You can't control emotional triggers

True or false: Negative emotions such as anger, fear, and frustration when they alert you to a threat, danger, or challenge in your life and urge you to protect yourself or take action

• True

• False

What are some of your emotional triggers? Try to come up with at least 5.

Think about one of your triggers from the last question, now come up with a plan of how you'll deal with that trigger the next time you face it and write it down.

Which of the following coping skills are healthy ways to respond to emotional triggers and stay in control? (select all that apply)

• Breathing techniques: slow, focused breaths allow your brain to release hormones which relax the body and help you think clearly.

• Use the 10-year rule: ask yourself: Ten years from now, will this matter? Is it really worth getting upset over?

• Become triggered: allow yourself to become triggered and see what you do.

• Create a plan: Think about triggers you may face ahead of time in various situations so you're ready and prepared to respond.

True or false: You can reframe your perceptions by using positive self-talk

• True

• False

What are two healthy things you could do if you're feeling negative emotions due to an online comment?

• Try to reframe your perception to find another explanation of what the person might've meant (maybe the comment was made in a hurry, without careful thought, or as a joke)

• Confront the person who made the comment in question online

• Have a friend of your message the person online and see what they meant when they posted the comment

• Ask for clairfication and explain your feelings to the person face to face

Which part of your brain processes information faster?

• Cognitive (Thinking) brain

• Emotional (Feeling) brain

What are the three steps to tackling emotional triggers? (select 3)

• Make a list of your emotional triggers

• Allow yourself to get triggered whenever possible

• Avoid triggers when you can, but make a plan to deal with them

• Use positive self-talk to reframe negative perceptions

What is one thing you learned from today's presentation?