Triggers & Cues
What is a "trigger?"
Answer: Something that happens that causes you to feel a certain emotion
What is deep breathing? Can you demonstrate it?
Answer: This breathing technique involves slow breaths in and out
You’re working on a group project and your partner isn’t doing their part. You end up doing most of the work and feel really mad at them.
Answer: frustrated, overwhelmed, unappreciated, stressed, worried about your grade
What is a consequence? Are all consequences bad?
Answer: what happens after you made a choice,
What is an I-statement? Can you give an example?
Answer: “I feel ___ ”
Can also use this: I feel (EMOTION) when (TRIGGERING SITUATION) can you/we (WHAT WE HOPE CAN HAPPEN).
Name one common school trigger.
Answer: being teased, losing a game, being told “no,” conflict with peers, challenging academic work
Name one healthy way to calm your body and mind down
Answer: take a break, listen to music, walk away, count to 10, deep breaths, take a drink of water, etc.
You go to sit with your usual group at lunch, but they’re all talking and don’t make space for you. No one really acknowledges you.
Answer: hurt, rejected, lonely, embarrassed, sad, etc.
What is a possible negative consequence or outcome for acting out in anger?
Answer: trouble at school, losing privileges, hurting relationships
True or False: Yelling is the best way to solve a conflict.
(Answer: False. Staying calm helps solve problems better.)
True or False: Triggers are the same for everyone.
Answer: False. Everyone is different, what may be triggering for one person may not be triggering for another.
True or False: Ignoring anger completely is a healthy coping skill.
Answer: False. It may be helpful in the moment to ignore a feeling or use distraction, but continuing to ignore anger can lead to more distress.
A teacher corrects you in front of the class for talking, and everyone looks at you. You snap back or shut down.
Answer: embarrassed, ashamed, anxious, self-concious, disrespected
True or False: We are responsible for our behavior, even if we are angry.
Answer: True.
What should you do if you and a friend disagree on something?
(Answer: Listen to their side, share your perspective, and find a compromise.)
What are two physical cues in your body that let you know you are feeling angry.
(Answer: racing heart, feeling hot/getting red, clenching fists, pacing, crying, sweating, etc.)
Grounding can often be a helpful calming strategy. Can you list the 5 senses?
Answer: vision, touch, hearing, smell, taste
You miss an easy shot in gym and your team loses. A teammate rolls their eyes and says something rude.
Answer: embarrassed, disappointed, insecure, hurt, pressured, etc.
Answer: staying out of trouble, better relationships, feeling proud
True or False: Active listening is when you interrupt someone who is talking.
Why is noticing what is happening in your body helpful or important?
(Answer: can warn you that you are becoming upset, let you know that something is wrong, etc.)
What is a "calm down" strategy you have used successfully when you were feeling angry at school?
Answer: Any answer, as long as it was helpful and safe at school.
Your friend suddenly stops texting you back and starts hanging out with someone else. When you see them at school, you act cold or mean.
Answer: hurt, confused, jealous, left out, worried about losing the friendship
Name one thing that is out of your control and then one thing that you can control.
Answer: Out of your control: other people, the weather, laws and rules, other people's expectations, etc.
In my control: my choices and actions, my perspective, my thoughts
What can you do if you and a friend can't resolve a conflict on your own?
Answer: Ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted adult for help. Take time away from the argument to process and calm down before trying again.