Understanding Your Nervous System

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Instructions:

Read each scenario and choose the response that best describes how you would typically react.

Try not to overthinking it, there's no right or wrong. Choose 1 that resonates with you the most.

At the end you will get a score of the ones you most selected.

Scenario 1: Your are in a disagreement with a close family member.

I blame them, argue back and don't take ownership in the part I played.

I avoid eye contact, my body turns away or I move to another room.

I feel confused, detached, or unable to process what is happening.

I use soothing, agreeable language to calm the other person.

Scenario 2: You Receive Unexpected Criticism.

My muscles tense, my voice rises and I make excuses or justify myself by arguing with that person

I avoid eye contact, my body turns away or I move to another room

I feel confused, detached, or unable to process what is happening

I take on the responsibility to fix the issue, often at my own expense, to maintain peace

Scenario 3: You Are In A Social Gathering Where You Don't Know Many People.

I find a way to create a debate that can cause disagreements

I excuse myself to get a drink, use the rest room, oops I have a phone call

I stand quietly, feeling awkward and unsure what to do

I actively listen, ask questions, agree with everyone, compliment others to gain their favour

Scenario 4: You Face A Major Life Challenge, Like A Financial Crisis.

I blame other or the circumstance

I avoid looking at my bank statements and postpone dealing with finances in general

I struggle with ongoing anxiety and fear of financial stability-I don't know what to do

I depend heavily on others for answers, so that they can sort it out for me

Scenario 5: You Are Reminded Of A Past Traumatic Event.

My muscles tense, I'm preparing for action. I shout, swear or scream. I will hurt you with my words or fists

I avoid people, places, events or situations that remind me of past trauma

I replay the event in my mind and feel stuck in my own stress cycle

I focus on making others happy to distract myself from the trigger, I say things like I'm ok, it's fine

Scenario 6: You Are Assigned A Challenge Project At Work With A Tight Deadline.

I'm in constant disagreement with others, they are wrong and I'm right

I avoid discussing the project and keep my struggles to myself

I feel stuck and unsure of how to solve problems as they arise

I spend time helping colleagues with their tasks, neglecting my own deadlines. I'm the one that sorts things out, others think I'm great

Scenario 7: You Are Going About Your Day and You Hear a Loud Unexpected Noise.

My body tenses, I jump, my fists tighten ready to go, may faces clenches, my shoulders hunch. I’m ready to take action

I feel a rush of fear, get me out of here! where can I go.. I’m scanning the space

My mind goes blank, and I struggle to form a plan. I can’t move

I focus on maintaining harmony and ensuring others feel safe in similar situations

Scenario 8: You Encounter A Rude Individual.

I feel tightness in my throat and then I let them have it-I can’t stop myself!

Get me out of here! Where’s the nearest exit? I don’t like it when others are rude. I don’t know how to defend myself

I remain still, with a tense and closed off posture. I want to hide

I go out of my way to be agreeable and accommodating to avoid conflict

Scenario 9: You Receive Unexpected Bad News.

I’m angry, my body tenses. I hit someone or something

I avoid discussing it and want to bury my head in the sand

My body feels heavy, and I struggle to move or react

I focus on comforting others and ensuring everyone else is ok

Scenario 10: You Are Dealing With A Sudden Health Scare.

I shout at the doctors and tell them that they are wrong

I shut it out of my mind and don’t think about it. I need to get out of here

I struggle to communicate my needs and may avoid reaching out for help

I focus on taking care of others, ensuring they are not affected by the health scare

Scenario 11: You Have To Make An Important Decision In Your Life.

My muscles start to tense - I start to get annoyed with myself or others

I think about other activities or excuses to delay making the decision

I feel overwhelmed and can’t decide what to do

I feel worried about making the wrong decision and seek validation from others

Scenario 12: After A Challenging Day- What Do You Do?

I go home and tend to have an argument- I feel ‘aggy'

I might feel restless, fidgety, or have an urge to move around. I can’t sit still

I feel physically exhusted unable to move. I want to sleep

I feel the need for reassurance and/or validation from others

Scenario 13: You Are Given A Great Life Opportunity- What Do You Do?

My body starts to react and my voice starts to raise as I talk it through, I get angry when my questions can’t be answered

I avoid talking about the opportunity, fearing others’ expectations or doubts

My mind feels blank and I struggle to think clearly about the opportunity. My body starts to shut down

I seek advice from others and prioritise their input over my own feelings and intuition

Scenario 14: How Contented Are You Right Now?

I feel a sense of anger/ resentment/frustration at myself and others

I avoid tasks that cause stress or discomfort, procrastinating frequently

I struggle to engage in self-reflection- to be honest I don’t even know how I’m feeling. I can become stuck in negative thoughts patterns

I may have a nervous tummy, shallow breathing, or feel emotionally drained but I look after everyone else

Scenario 15: Do You Take Care Of Yourself Properly?

I self sabotage and then gossip with others about what others do or don’t do

I struggle to stick to a routine, often avoiding looking after myself. At times I’m all over the place

I struggle with insomnia or excessive sleeping due to feeling overwhelmed

I love helping and supporting others, I’m Ok, I don’t need to look after myself. Everyone thinks I’m so strong

Scenario 16: How Do You Think And Feel About Yourself?

I criticise/judge and find faults in myself and others

I feel anxious even in success, fearing it may not last or I don’t deserve it. I run away from moments where I may feel like this and self sabotage

I feel unsure about myself and struggle to form a clear self-image. I have little self- worth or self- esteem

I seek reassurance from other’s and worry about their judgements or opinions of me

Scenario 17: How Spontaneous Are You?

I start telling others how to live, what to do and how to do it - I blame everyone, anything and everything when I can’t do something

I overthink and often delay making choices

I feel unsure and struggle to go with the flow

I participate if others encourage me and show enthusiasm

Scenario 18: How do you tend to feel or act in your social circle?

I often feel frustrated or critical of others, it's hard not to get irritated

I get overwhelmed in social settings and sometimes want to leave or escape

I shut down, avoid eye contact and find it hard to speak and be present

I stay friendly with everyone, even if they hurt me, I don't want to rock the boat

Scenario 19: How Do You Ensure You Maintain A Healthy Work-Life Balance?

I’m at work all of the time but moan about it and feel hostile towards it

I can’t concentrate on my role and procrastinate, It takes me ages to finish something

I don’t want to be there and can’t wait until I’m on annual leave - my absence is quite high and I can’t even get up in the mornings

I can’t say no and want to help everyone, I want others to know that I’m good and can manage

Scenario 20: How Do You Communicate With Others?

I try to argue my point of view - its the only point of view I care about and I’m right!

I avoid conflict at all costs- I don’t get into conversations, I walk away

I go quiet and shut down - I keep myself to myself

I agree with them to keep the peace- I don’t like to upset people and say they don’t agree with me!