Something that causes a strong emotional response, often without warning.
a trigger
Your phone dies right before meeting friends. What’s a healthy response?
1) Problem solve while staying calm.
2) Calmly find a charger
3) Calmly find another phone to borrow
A classroom action that shows respect and prevents interruptions.
A raised hand.
I failed once, so I’ll always fail.
All-or nothing thinking
The immediate behavior or emotion that follows a trigger.
A reaction
Ignore it, after class communicate with teacher, focus on yourself
Seen at intersections; tells you when to stop, slow down, or go.
A traffic light.
Everyone is judging me.
Mind reading
The pause between a trigger and a reaction where a choice can be made.
A healthy pause/ Self-Control
You're in an argument with a friend over text message and they say something disrespectful to you. What should you do (answers may vary)
Take time to not respond (24 hour rule).
Do not say something disrespectful back, explain your feelings calmly.
I am a reptile known for moving slowly and staying calm.
A turtle
Turning a small mistake into a disaster.
When your brain jumps to conclusions without checking the facts.
A cognitive distortion
You fail a quiz and think, 'I’m terrible at school.' What should you actually be thinking?
Challenge your effort prior to the quiz. Ask yourself why it happened, or how to improve the next time.
I am a vegetable and can make you cry.
An onion.
Ignoring positives and focusing only on negatives.
Mental filtering
Choosing an action that helps you, and/or aligns with your values even when emotions are intense.
A coping strategy/ a coping response
Someone physically attacks you in school.
Do not retaliate. Walk/ run away and if you can't, defend while asking for help without attacking back.
I'm something that protects without blocking everything. I let some things in and keep other things out.
Sunglasses.
Blaming yourself for something you can’t control.
Personalization