Feelings Decoder
This feeling can make your chest feel tight and your thoughts race. It’s not always logical but wants to protect you.
What is anxiety
Butterflies in your stomach, hands fidgety
What is nervousness or excitement
This soft, comforting object can help regulate your nervous system.
What is a stuffed animal
Everyone's thoughts and feelings are the same in similar situations.
True or false
False
How can you practice deep breathing?
Breathing in through mouth 4 seconds, holding for 4, and breathing out through mouth for 6
A hot, spiky feeling that shows up when something feels unfair or out of control.
What is anger
Your heart is beating fast and your muscles are tense—this might mean you're feeling…
What is anxious or alert
Holding this cold thing can jolt your system back into the present.
What is ice
Where in your body do you feel it first when your body gets mad or scared?
My tummy feels tight
My fist ball up
Answers may vary as long as you connected it with your body!!
Petting or playing with this fuzzy friend can calm your nervous system.
What is a dog, cat, or comfort pet?
This emotion may cause tears and often shows up when we feel disconnected or something ends.
What is sadness
Sweaty palms, shaky voice, shallow breath: your body might be saying...
What is panic or overwhelm
Writing down your thoughts, even if no one sees it, is a way to release pressure.
What is journaling or writing a letter that you wont send
Is there a connection between thoughts, feelings and behavior?
True or False
True
Extra points if you know what this model is called!!!
Expressing your feelings through colors, shapes, or movement on paper. What is art or sensory drawing?
What is art or sensory drawing?
This big emotion often happens when we are surprised in an overwhelming way and can freeze us up.
What is fear or panic
When you’re overwhelmed, your brain might do this thing where it stops and you feel _________.
What is shutdown
These can drown out the noise in your brain and give you a sensory break.
What are headphones or music
Sometimes when feelings get too big, your brain might go into this state where you can’t talk.
What is shutdown or selective mutism
This is a practice of letting yourself slowly change, instead of forcing a quick fix.
What is transformation?
This emotion may appear when you think something bad might happen.
What is Worried
Your body is sending so many signals you can’t tell what’s what—everything’s loud inside.
What emotional flooding or meltdown or crashing out
A box, bag, or list of things that help you feel calm when emotions are high.
What is a calm kit or sensory box
This is when your brain replays a moment over and over, trying to make sense of it.
What is a rumination loop or replaying a script or overthinking
Name three ways you can calm down when your emotions are just too big.