BODY CLUES
Your heart starts beating faster, your palms get sweaty, and your face feels warm. What are these examples of?
Body changes or physiological signals.
Your schedule suddenly changes and you notice that your stomach feels weird. What should you pay attention to?
The body signal—the change you're noticing in your stomach.
What does the T in TIPP stand for?
Temperature
A teacher tells you abruptly to put the game you have been playing away. You notice your body starting to feel tense. What could you do BEFORE reacting?
Notice the body signal and choose a regulation strategy.
You're at a 2 out of 5. Is that a bad thing?
No. It means you're noticing an early shift. Catching the shift early can be useful.
True or False: You have to feel angry before your body can show signs that you are becoming activated.
False. Body changes can happen before or alongside an emotion.
Someone keeps interrupting you. Your face gets hot, your shoulders tense, and your heart speeds up. Are these body signs, emotions, or both?
They are body signs/physiological changes. They can happen alongside emotions.
What does the FIRST P in TIPP stand for?
Paced breathing
You're pacing, your heart is pounding, and you feel like you have tons of physical energy. Which TIPP strategy might fit?
True or False: If one TIPP strategy doesn't work, that means TIPP doesn't work for me.
False. Different strategies may work differently for different people and situations.
Name TWO things that might happen to your body when you are stressed or becoming activated.
Faster heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, faster breathing, stomach changes, shaking, feeling hot/cold, restlessness, etc.
Someone makes a frustrating comment. Your hands start sweating. Your heart begins pounding. Then you feel like yelling. At which point might it help to use a strategy?
When you first notice the shift—such as when your hands sweat or your heart rate increases.
You're feeling extremely physically activated and have lots of restless energy. Which TIPP strategy might fit?
Intense exercise
Your heart is racing and your breathing is getting faster. Which TIPP strategy might fit, and WHY?
Paced breathing because it directly targets the breathing pattern and can help reduce physical activation.
Put these in a possible order: A) Urge to yell, B) Heart speeds up, C) Someone says something frustrating, D) Muscles tighten.
C → B → D → A.
Your jaw is tight, your fists are clenched, and your shoulders are raised. What body clues are you noticing?
Muscle tension or physical activation.
What is the difference between “I'm angry” and “my body is telling me I'm getting activated”?
Anger is an emotion. Body clues are physical/physiological signals that can happen before or during the emotion.
Your fists, shoulders, and jaw are extremely tight. Which TIPP strategy could target that physical tension?
Paired with muscle relaxation
Your shoulders are raised, your jaw is clenched, and your fists are tight. Which TIPP strategy might fit best?
Paired muscle relaxation.
Someone tells you, “Just calm down.” Why might that not be very helpful by itself?
It doesn't give you a specific action. Identifying the body signal and choosing a strategy gives you something concrete to do.
Why might noticing a body change BEFORE you become extremely upset be useful?
It gives you an opportunity to use a strategy earlier, before activation becomes harder to manage.
You're at a 2 out of 5. Your shoulders are getting tense and your heart is slightly faster. Why might this actually be a good time to use a strategy?
It's often easier to regulate earlier rather than waiting until you're overwhelmed.
Your heart is racing and your breathing is getting faster. Name TWO TIPP strategies that could potentially help.
Paced breathing and an appropriate temperature strategy are possible answers. Movement may also be reasonable depending on the situation.
You're becoming frustrated during a group activity. Your heart is speeding up, your face is getting warm, your shoulders are tightening, and your breathing is getting faster. Name THREE things you could do before reaching a 5 out of 5.
Multiple answers are acceptable: use a TIPP strategy, move, use paced breathing, take space, ask for a break, ground yourself, seek staff support, etc.
You walk into school after having a rough morning. Someone bumps into you in the hallway and doesn't apologize. Your face gets hot, your heart speeds up, and your fists tighten. You think, “I'm going to lose it.” What could you notice and do BEFORE reaching a 5 out of 5?
Identify the body shifts → estimate your activation → choose an appropriate strategy → take space, ask for help, or use a regulation strategy before reaching a crisis point.