Developing an awareness of these patterns requires an objective, almost detached, observation of your own physical response (Photo: iStock)
We can all relate to that point where someone close to us made a sneaky, critical remark mid-conversation and within seconds, we are boiling internally.
The heart rate accelerates, the chest tightens and the rational perspective that existed just moments prior is replaced by an urgent, physical urge to defend yourself or retaliate. That feeling is actually a common precursor to the loss of composure and frequently dictates the outcome of domestic conflicts.
The ability to recognise these triggers from the onset is not an innate talent we have, but a skill that requires the intentional development of internal monitoring systems. Before a person shouts, becomes defensive or shuts down, the body usually provides a number of early warning signs that serve as the final opportunity to intervene before control is lost.
And you will realise that those triggers are not just limited to the words spoken, but they also focus on the context of the interaction. Certain people, often those we love, possess the ability to activate these responses faster because they know the specific sensitivities developed over years of shared history.
