Table of contents
Introduction
Triggers may make you do things you later regret: how to gain control over them
Such was the moment when you turned against your conscience, bitter with remorse, pondering what had gotten into you. Perhaps you raised your voice against your dear one, decided too rashly on something, or chose to tread the path of self-destruction. In most instances, such regrettable actions may exist in regard to triggers, emotional or psychological stimuli that trigger thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a chain reaction.
What are triggers?
A trigger that we recognize consciously or unconsciously can have a powerful emotional disturbance. Triggers link to some historical setup, trauma, stress, or even innocuous stimuli, like a specific smell or a tone of voice. Triggering means the activation of the stress response system of the brain, whereby one acts impulsively and under the heat of that emotion, without a logical and clear view of the long-term implications.
Various Types of Triggers
Triggers divide into several categories, including
1. Emotional triggers: These are triggers that are either the emotion or emotional states felt, such as feeling anxious, angry, or sad.
2. Environmental triggers: These are triggers corresponding to external stimuli signaled by a particular place, person, or object.
3. Social triggers: These are triggers associated with social interaction or situations of conflict with someone or feeling judged.
4. Trauma triggers: These are triggers that evoke memories or emotions relating to past trauma experiences.
Identifying Your Triggers
To take control over your triggers, the very first thing is identifying them. Here are some methods to help:
1. Self-reflection: Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors for some time. Try to identify concepts or maybe patterns common to those situations where you suffer regret.
2. Journaling: Write your thoughts and feelings down. Journaling could provide useful hints to your triggers and perhaps some information about your emotional responses.
3. Mindfulness: Practice meditation, mindful breathing, and other such exercises that increase the awareness of thought and emotion in your mind.
4. Seek input: Solicit opinions and comments from friends and relatives or trusted clients about the way they behave towards your triggers.
Ways to Handle Triggers
So now that you are aware of your triggers, you are ready to work on managing them. Some of the techniques you can look into include
1. Observe and label: Tune in to what you feel when you are being triggered to identify the emotion or stimulus. Then try to take a moment to think before acting.
2. Step away: Make some room between your trigger and your reaction. Deep breaths, walking, or the use of relaxation, and even enjoying a moment to oneself, are other things to do.
3. Positive self-talk: Talking positively to oneself is the best way to remind a person that you are going to make it, affirmations, peace of mind, and perspective.
4. Building skills: Physical exercise, meditation, and some creative activities help reduce stress and deal with one’s emotions.
5. Seek help: People should confide in their friends, family, or even a therapist.
Conclusion
Triggers can evoke powerful stimuli, producing emotional reactions that lead to actions some may find regrettable. Leading up to the identification and understanding of one’s triggers will lead to the development of a strategy through which one can manage them intentionally. An intentional life, full of practice, patience, and awareness, will be developed in due course.
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