Emotions and The Brain

Emotional Reactions

1

Why might someone isolate?

Open ended -- difficulty being vulnerable, avoidant, toxic independence

2

What are some warning signs that you are becoming dysregulated? Name at least 3

Breathing quickly, irritated, not thinking clearly, irrational thinking, etc. 

3

What is the word for a stimulus — internal or external — that sets off a strong emotional or physical reaction linked to a past experience, often without conscious thought

Trigger

4

Define flight, fight, fawn, and freeze. What are they and give an example?

People's immediate reaction to fear or danger -- wanting to fight, run away, charm, or shut down when faced with a stressor

5

Name an emotional reaction you had this week, why you had it, and what coping skill you used/could have used to help yourself 

Open ended

Emotional Intelligence

1

If you have a difficult time focusing for long periods of time, you have a short _______ _______. 

attention span 

2

What does ADHD stand for?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

3

What is it called when you do actions or behaviors in order to meet the needs of your younger self? This helps you reconnect with your younger self. (3 words)

inner-child work 

4

What is it called when you set healthy expectations and limitations with another person? (1 word)

Boundaries

5

How can you tell how someone is feeling? 

Through facial expressions, body language, or by them telling you

Coping Skills

1

What are the counts for box breathing? 

In for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, out for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts 

2

Complete the coping skill: 

5 things you can ____

4 things you can _____

3 things you can ______

2 things you can ______

1 thing you can ____

5 things you can see 

4 things you can feel

3 things you can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

3

What is the genre of coping skills that helps you to be more present in your body and the physical world around you? Examples could be 54321, feeling your feet on the ground, and taking deep breaths 

Grounding

4

Name 5 coping skills for when you are feeling anxious 

Open ended - you tell us! 

5

Name 5 coping skills for when you are feeling angry 

Open ended (you tell us!)

The Brain

1

What chemicals does the brain produce that make you happy?

Dopamine and Serotonin

2

What part of the brain deals with memory and acts as a "filing cabinet" for memories?

The Hippocampus

3

What is the brain's stress hormone?

Cortisol

4

Name three things you can do to increase your attention span

Open ended -- limit phone time, read for long periods of time, purposefully do boring things

5

What is the part of the brain that deals with fight or flight emotions? Acts as the "smoke detector" of the brain 

The Amygdala

Trivia

1

Which book series was rejected 14 times before being accepted by a publishing company?

Twilight

2

True or False -- Jellyfish have no heart, eyes, or nose 

True

3

What was bubble wrap initially used for when it was made in 1957?

Wallpaper

4

The hippocampus is bigger in women or men?

Women

5

What is the longest word that is in alphabetical order?

Almost