Feelings Detective
This feeling can happen when too many things happen at once and your brain feels “full.”
What is overwhelm?
Question:
A fast heartbeat, tight chest, and shaky hands can be clues that you are feeling this.
Answer:
What is anxiety or stress?
Question:
Finish the sentence: “I feel _____ when _____.”
Answer:
Any appropriate feeling + situation.
Question:
Your friend keeps interrupting you and you feel upset. What could you say?
Answer:
Examples:
“Can I finish talking?”
“I feel frustrated when I get interrupted.”
Question:
This breathing technique involves inhaling for 4, holding for 7, and exhaling for 8.
Answer: 4-7-8 breathing
Question:
If someone cancels plans and you feel heavy and quiet inside, you may feel this emotion.
Answer:
What is disappointment or sadness?
Question:
When someone stops talking, avoids eye contact, or goes silent, they may be doing this.
Answer:
What is shutting down?
Question:
Instead of walking away silently, what is one thing you could say?
Answer:
Examples:
“I need a minute.”
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m upset and need help.”
Question:
You’re crying and don’t know how to explain why. What’s one simple sentence you could use?
Answer:
Examples:
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I need a minute.”
“I don’t know how to explain it yet.”
Question:
Name one healthy coping skill besides crying or shutting down.
Answer:
Examples: journaling, breathing, walking, music, talking, grounding.
Question:
This feeling may look like anger on the outside but is actually hurt underneath.
Answer:
What is frustration?
Question:
Name one body clue that tells you you’re getting overwhelmed.
Answer:
Examples: headache, stomachache, tense muscles, crying, racing thoughts, sweating.
Question:
This communication skill means telling others what you need respectfully.
Answer:
What is assertive communication?
Question:
You need space but don’t want people to think you’re angry. What could you say?
Answer:
Examples:
“I just need a break to calm down.”
“I’m not mad; I’m overwhelmed.”
Question:
This grounding skill uses your 5 senses to calm anxiety.
Answer:
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique?
Question:
Name 2 emotions people might feel before they cry.
Answer:
What are sadness, embarrassment, stress, fear, frustration, loneliness, etc.?
Question:
Taking deep breaths helps calm this system in your body.
Answer:
What is the nervous system?
Question:
True or False: People should automatically know how you feel without you saying anything.
Answer:
What is False?
Question:
Someone asks, “What’s wrong?” and you feel yourself shutting down. What’s a healthy response?
Answer:
Examples:
“I’m struggling to talk right now.”
“I need a few minutes before I explain.”
Question:
True or False: Taking a short break before communicating can be healthy.
Answer:
What is True?
Question:
True or False: Crying is a bad way to express emotions.
Answer:
What is False?
(Crying is okay — it’s important to also communicate needs.)
Question:
Why is it important to notice body clues early?
Answer:
What is so you can ask for help or calm down before emotions explode or shut down happens?
Question:
Give an example of using an “I statement.”
Answer:
Examples:
“I feel stressed when everyone talks at once.”
“I feel hurt when I’m ignored.”
Question:
Roleplay challenge: Give a calm response after a stressful misunderstanding.
Answer:
Any respectful emotional-expression response.
Question:
Why is calming down first sometimes helpful before talking?
Answer:
What is because it helps people think clearly and communicate better?