Brain and Body
What part of the brain is responsible for the fight-flight-freeze response?
Amygdala
What’s a common emotional response to trauma that can look like anger or shutdown?
Dissociation or numbness
Name one grounding technique.
5-4-3-2-1 senses, deep breathing, holding an object, etc.
You’re overwhelmed in a public setting—your heart is racing, and you can feel the tears coming.
Find a quiet or private spot (bathroom, hallway, outside), take slow, deep breaths, ground through your senses (touch something cold, focus on your feet on the floor), and remind yourself you’re safe in the present moment
What superhero has a backstory filled with trauma and still saves people anyway?
Batman
What hormone floods your body during stress or trauma?
Cortisol
True or False: People always remember every detail of their trauma clearly.
False
What is the name of a therapy that uses eye movements to help process trauma?
EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
You’re having trouble sleeping because your mind keeps replaying a stressful memory.
Try a grounding technique before bed—listen to calming sounds, do a body scan, or write down your thoughts in a journal to “store” them outside your mind. Avoid screens and instead focus on slow breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
What Pixar movie shows different emotional parts of the self working together?
Inside Out
True or False: Trauma can physically change your brain
True
What sleep problem is common after trauma?
Nightmares or insomnia
Name a self-soothing activity someone might do to calm themselves
take a bath, listen to music, journal, pet a dog, etc.
Someone says something that unexpectedly triggers you in conversation.
Pause and notice what’s happening inside—heart rate, breathing, emotion. You can excuse yourself (“I need a minute”) or shift focus (look around, breathe, sip water). Remind yourself it’s a trigger, not a threat. Respond later if needed.
What animal is known to physically “shake off” stress?
Dogs or deer — they literally shake to release stress
What system in the body regulates rest and digestion and calms you down after stress?
Parasympathetic nervous system
What is it called when a trigger causes someone to mentally relive a trauma?
Flashback
True or False: Laughter can help regulate your nervous system.
True
You start to dissociate or feel disconnected in the middle of your workday or class.
Use grounding: Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, one you can taste. Splash water on your hands or face, or move your body to re‑anchor yourself in the present.
True or False: Crying is a sign of weakness.
False – it helps regulate and release emotion
Which three common trauma responses start with 'F'?
Fight, Flight, Freeze (or Fawn)
True or False: Only war veterans will have PTSD.
False
What type of activity releases stored tension in the body and promotes healing?
Movement — like dance, yoga, or exercise
You’re angry or frustrated after being reminded of something painful.
Channel the energy safely—walk, stretch, journal, or punch a pillow instead of lashing out. Once your body calms, reflect on what the trigger might have been and what emotion is underneath the anger (hurt, fear, sadness, etc.)
What’s a totally irrational thing that somehow makes you feel way better during a rough day?
Nice!