Mindful Living Lab

– A field guide to the moments that hijack your feelings – We all have emotional triggers. Moments that hit us harder than they “should.” Words, tones, situations that make us shut down, lash out, or spiral. And we all ask the same thing afterwards: “Why did I overreact?” “What’s wrong with me?” “How do I stop doing that?” The answer? Know your triggers. Prepare your tools. Let’s break it down. 🔥 Common Emotional Triggers & How to Handle Them 🗣️ 1. “You’re too sensitive” → Invalidation Trigger Why it hits: It tells you your feelings are wrong, dramatic, or inconvenient. What to say to yourself: “My reaction may be big, but my feelings are real.” “I don’t need permission to feel.” What to do: Breathe. Name the emotion. Validate yourself first — before expecting others to. 🚪 2. Canceled plans, silence, cold responses → Abandonment Trigger Why it hits: It echoes a fear of being left, forgotten, or unworthy. What to say to yourself: “Silence...

– What to do when your emotions hijack your body – You’re having a conversation, and suddenly your chest tightens. Your stomach drops. You can't think straight. Maybe you freeze. Maybe you lash out. You’ve been triggered — and it’s not your fault. But it is your job to take care of what happens next. Let’s talk about how. 🚨 What Is a Trigger, Really? A trigger is anything — a word, tone, memory, or moment — that makes your brain feel like it’s in danger, even if you’re actually safe. Common triggers: Feeling ignored or dismissed Someone raising their voice Being told “You’re overreacting” Rejection or abandonment cues Your nervous system doesn’t distinguish emotional threats from physical ones. That’s why the response is so intense — it’s survival mode. 🧘 Step 1: Notice the Signal Before your thoughts spiral, catch the physical cue: Is your breathing shallow? Is your heart racing? Are you clenching your jaw or fists? Do you suddenly fee...