Your body knows what's up. Tune in.
Our mind and body give us warning signs that something's about to kick off. If we can spot these early, we've a better shot at choosing how we respond, instead of just reacting.
What might it look or feel like?
In your body
- Your heart's racing, breathing's faster
- You feel hot, tense, or like you're ready to explode
- Fists clench, palms sweat, jaw tightens
- You might feel jumpy or foggy
In your thoughts
- Your inner voice turns negative
- Saying stuff in your head you'd never say out loud
- You start imagining the worst-case scenario
- Everything feels like a personal attack
In your behaviour
- You go quiet, shut down, or walk away
- You might get sarcastic or start blaming
- Slamming doors, standing tall, or finger pointing
- Nitpicking, mocking, or minimising what's going on
In your emotions
- You feel anxious, judged, or not good enough
- Shame creeps in, or anger flares up
- You might feel like you're being punished or pushed too far
Noticing these signs is a good thing, it means your body is giving you a heads up that stuff is happening. That's a solid first step toward changing your behaviour.