Coping Tools
What is one thing you can do when you notice yourself starting to get angry?
Take deep breaths, take a break, use a fidget, count, get space, etc.
Your friend doesn't invite you to her birthday party. What might you feel?
Sad, left out, disappointed, jealous, angry, etc.
Someone cuts in front of you in line. What could you do instead of yelling?
Take a breath, calmly say something, tell an adult, or let it go.
What are three signs your body might give you when you're getting angry?
Clenched fists, hot face, fast heartbeat, tense muscles, yelling, stomachache, etc.
Is it okay to have a different feeling than someone else?
Yes. People can experience the same situation differently.
If your body feels really tense because you're angry, name one thing you could do to help your body calm down.
Stretch, shake out your arms, breathe slowly, squeeze something, move around, etc.
Your teacher tells you that you did a great job on something you've been working hard on. What might you feel?
Proud, happy, excited.
Someone says something that hurts your feelings. What's one way you could respond assertively?
“I didn't like that,” “Please don't say that to me,” or calmly tell them how you feel.
What is a “trigger”?
Something that causes or contributes to an emotional reaction.
Can you love someone and still feel angry, frustrated, or disappointed with them?
Yes. Different feelings can exist at the same time.
True or False: Taking a break when you're angry means you're giving up.
False. Taking a break can help you calm down so you can handle the problem.
Your stomach feels weird, your heart is beating faster, and you keep thinking something bad might happen. What emotion might you be experiencing?
Anxiety/worry.
You are arguing with someone and notice you're getting more and more angry. What could you do?
Take a break and come back when you're calmer.
What's the difference between a trigger and a reaction?
A trigger is what happens; a reaction is how you respond to it.
If two people are arguing, does one person always have to be completely right and the other completely wrong?
No. Both people can have different perspectives and feelings.
You are so angry that you want to yell at someone. Name two things you could do instead.
Take space, breathe, count, talk calmly, write/draw your feelings, use a coping tool, etc.
You worked really hard on something, but it didn't turn out the way you wanted. What are two emotions you might feel?
Frustrated, disappointed, sad, angry, etc.
Someone misunderstands what you said and gets upset with you. What could you do before getting angry?
Explain what you meant, ask what they heard, or take a breath before responding.
Someone says “no” to something you really wanted. Your first thought is, “That's not fair!” What could you do before reacting?
Pause, take a breath, identify the thought/feeling, and decide how to respond.
What is something you can control in a difficult relationship?
Your own words, actions, choices, boundaries, and how you respond.
You're already at a 9/10 anger level. Is this the best time to solve the problem? What should you do first?
Calm your body first, then work on solving the problem.
Can you feel more than one emotion at the same time? Give an example.
Yes. Someone could feel happy and nervous about starting a new school.
You disagree with someone but know that yelling probably won't fix the problem. Name three things you could try instead.
Calm down, use assertive communication, listen to their side, take a break, compromise, or ask an adult for help.
our anger is at a 3/10 when something happens, but after thinking about it for five minutes, you're at an 8/10. What could you do differently next time?
Notice the early signs and use a coping skill before the anger gets bigger.
You can't control what another person says or does. What are three things you can control?
Your response, your words, your actions, your coping skills, your boundaries, and when you choose to take space.