Ep 134: Triggers 101: What They Are and How to Navigate Them as a Survivor of Narcissistic Abuse

We’re diving deep into the world of triggers. A common and often overwhelming experience for survivors of trauma and abuse. We’ll explore what triggers are, why they happen, and how they can actually become opportunities for healing and growth.Whether you’re just beginning your recovery journey or you’re further along, this episode offers practical tools and validation to help you navigate triggers with confidence and compassion.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Understanding Triggers: What they are, how they relate to the brain and body’s fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses, and the difference between triggers and flashbacks.Common Triggers: Examples like certain sounds, behaviors, or phrases that may remind you of past trauma.Recognizing Triggers: Learn how to identify early signs of being triggered and track patterns using a “trigger tracker” journal.Managing Triggers in the Moment: Techniques like grounding exercises, deep breathing, and creating a personalized “calm kit.”Growing Through Triggers: How to reframe triggers as milestones in your healing journey and use them as data to guide therapeutic work.Key Takeaways:Triggers are a normal part of recovery and not a sign of failure.Grounding tools, when practiced consistently, can help regulate your nervous system.With mindfulness and support, triggers can illuminate unresolved trauma and help you move toward healing.Call to Action:This week, choose one grounding tool like deep breathing or the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, and practice it daily. Building this habit can make it easier to manage triggers when they arise.Related Episodes:Episode 133: Polyvagal Healing with EricaPlease leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpcIf you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.htmlIf you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7Where to find more from Rising Beyond:Rising Beyond FacebookRising Beyond LinkedInRising Beyond Pinterest