Practical Wisdom with Dr. Rick Hanson What to Do When You Get Triggered
Oct 1, 2025
Explore the intense experience of being triggered and how it impacts our emotions. Learn the importance of naming triggers to calm your mind and access deeper feelings hidden beneath anger. Discover the power of pause before reacting, allowing for clearer judgment and self-compassion. Dive into strategies for mobilizing inner strength and making thoughtful plans post-trigger. Reflect on how personal triggers connect to broader societal issues, ultimately guiding us toward compassion and resilience.
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Microtrigger From A Spouse
- Rick Hanson describes getting microscopically triggered by his wife over a small disagreement.
- He links the reaction to childhood experiences of parents 'raining on the parade.'
Name The Trigger Fast
- Notice and name that you are triggered as soon as you can to engage self-regulation.
- Naming the feeling boosts prefrontal control and calms the amygdala quickly.
Look Beneath Anger
- Surface anger often hides underlying hurt, fear, fatigue, or hunger.
- Identifying the deeper feeling clarifies what needs attention and reduces misdirected anger.