You can be honest that you are feeling triggered and it’s best to call a time-out. It’s wise to avoid trying to continue a conversation when you are flooded with anxiety. Move your body. Drink water and wait twenty minutes for your prefrontal cortex (the “thinking” brain) to resume logical thoughts. If you say something you regret, be gracious with yourself. Don’t berate yourself. Say, “I am human. Knowing my story, my response made sense. I offer myself compassion, and I take responsibility for my actions and reactions. And if I need to ask for forgiveness from the one I hurt, I will do so.”
