Everyday Stress
“You wake up late and feel rushed and overwhelmed.”
Trigger: stress / time pressure
“Someone doesn’t reply to your message.”
Trigger: feeling ignored
“You think, ‘I can’t do anything right.’”
Trigger: negative self-talk
“A loud noise makes you jump.”
Trigger: startle response
“Name a coping skill for stress.”
Deep breathing, grounding, etc.
“Your plans suddenly change.”
Trigger: lack of control / change
“A person cancels plans with you.”
Trigger: rejection / disappointment
“You assume the worst will happen.”
Trigger: anxiety / catastrophizing
“You’re in a crowded, noisy room.”
Trigger: overstimulation
“What can you do when you feel angry?”
Walk away, count to 10, etc.
“You have too many things to do at once.”
Trigger: feeling overwhelmed
“Someone criticizes you.”
Trigger: feeling judged
“You think people are talking about you.”
Trigger: paranoia / insecurity
“You’re in a place that reminds you of a bad memory.”
Trigger: trauma reminder
“Name a way to cope with anxiety.”
Breathing, distraction, etc.
“You don’t get enough sleep and feel irritable.”
Trigger: fatigue
“You feel left out of a group.”
Trigger: exclusion
“You compare yourself to others and feel worse.”
Trigger: low self-esteem
“Bright lights or strong smells bother you.”
Trigger: sensory overload
“What helps when you feel overwhelmed?”
Break tasks down, ask for help
“You spill something and feel instantly frustrated.”
Trigger: small frustration / stress
“Someone raises their voice at you.”
Trigger: conflict / fear / anger
“You replay a mistake over and over.”
Trigger: rumination / guilt
“There’s a lot of chaos or unpredictability around you.”
Trigger: lack of safety / control
“Name a healthy way to deal with a trigger.”
Any appropriate coping skill