By: Marissa Pollet

In the realm of mental health, there's a term that has a profound impact on those who encounter ups and downs with emotional situations: triggers. The concept of being "triggered" has gained significant recognition in recent years, yet it's true impact often remains misunderstood. What does it really mean to be triggered, how can you identify your own trigger points, and most importantly, how to cope when faced with triggering situations? Let’s focus on these aspects and explore the emotional impact of triggers in our own lives.

What Does It Mean to Be Triggered?

So, what does it mean to be triggered? At its core, being triggered refers to experiencing an intense emotional or psychological reaction to a particular person, event or experience. Triggers can vary greatly from person to person and often stem from past traumas, unresolved issues, or deeply ingrained beliefs. Triggers have the power to evoke powerful emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, or anxiety, often having a response that overwhelms the individual. It could be something as simple as smelling cologne or hearing a siren that causes a person to recall previous traumatic experiences.

Identifying Your Trigger Points:

Recognizing your trigger points is a crucial step in managing your emotional well-being. These triggers can present themselves in various forms, ranging from specific words, sounds, images or certain situations and environments. Maybe driving past the hospital near your home causes you to have an emotional reaction to the recent loss you experienced. Seeing the red sign “Emergency Room” serves as the trigger, flooding your mind with unwanted feelings. Reflecting on past experiences and paying close attention to your emotional reactions can help pinpoint what triggers you. Keep a journal to track instances where you felt particularly distressed or reactive, noting the circumstances surrounding these episodes. Over time, patterns may emerge, shedding light on your unique trigger points providing you with valuable insight into what specific triggers you have and how often they affect you. How did I acquire this trigger and what event lead up to emotional response I have? Identifying the trigger is key in learning new ways to adapt and cope with unwanted feelings.

Coping Strategies for Triggering Situations:

When faced with triggering situations, it's essential to have coping strategies in place to navigate through the emotional turbulence. Here are some effective techniques to help you cope:

• Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Practice mindfulness exercises to anchor yourself in the present moment and soothe racing thoughts. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and movement are all excellent strategies. Grounding techniques such as touching an object and describing it in detail will re-focus your mindset and root you in the here and now.

• Establish Healthy Boundaries: Learn to set boundaries to protect yourself from potential triggers. Communicate your needs assertively and prioritize self-care, whether it involves limiting exposure to triggering stimuli or seeking support from trusted individuals. Don’t be afraid to be honest with yourself and those around you about specific triggers. Protecting your mental well-being is never selfish and puts you on the path to asserting what you may need in order to cope in specific situations.

• Seek Professional Help: Don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor for guidance and support. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore underlying issues, develop coping skills, and work through past traumas in a supportive environment.

• Develop Coping Strategies: Arm yourself with coping strategies tailored to your specific triggers. This might involve practicing relaxation techniques, engaging in creative outlets such as art or journaling, or seeking out activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

• Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with understanding and empathetic individuals who can offer encouragement, and perspective during challenging times. Whether it's friends, family, or support groups, having a strong support network can provide invaluable emotional support.

• Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself and acknowledge that it's okay to feel triggered. Validate your emotions without judgment and remind yourself that you have the strength and resilience to overcome challenges. Our mind is a very powerful tool, and we have the ability to create new pathways of growth and change when we are patient and accept where our struggles are today, but most importantly where we would like to be in the near future.

Your Triggers Do Not Define You:

Understanding triggers and learning how to cope with them is an ongoing journey toward emotional healing and self-discovery. By gaining self-awareness, implementing effective coping strategies, and seeking support when needed, you can empower yourself to navigate through triggering situations with resilience and grace. Remember, you are not defined by your triggers – you have the power to rise above them and thrive.

Our team of caring professionals at Inspired Wellness are here to provide support and guidance towards your path of mental wellness. We believe that every individual has the ability to be the best version of themselves and our goal is to set you up with the tools to maintain a well-balanced life that will place you on the path towards lifelong change. We strive to create a non-judgmental environment coupled with therapeutic practices that are tailored towards each individual. At Inspired Wellness our team aims to do exactly as our name says, inspire you towards a beautiful life of strength and wellness!