Stopping a "trigger" as soon as it starts - interrupting the response

Months ago, I deleted the N from my cell phone, email, Facebook, Plaxo, Linked In, etc. and made extra sure to remove any birthday reminders from my online calendars...especially the one built-in to my email. I made sure to turn off the "reminder" and then deleted the "event". And wouldn't you know it, I just got an email alert to remind me anyway...even though I had made sure at the time that the N's birthday was no longer listed in my calendar and that all reminders were off.

Not sure how this could have happened, and I am OK...just a little annoyed to discover that I am still "triggered". When I saw the N's name in my email, I immediately felt my body going into panic and anxiety mode...which I was able to get control of just as quickly, with a few deep breaths and a "delete delete delete" of the email "reminder". I have found this deep breathing to be effective to interrupt the "pain cycle", to prevent that sudden storm surge of neurotransmitters that I am sure many of us here are all too familiar with.

As redundant as it may seem to state that breathing is "important", I have learned through my yoga practice that controlling your breathing can control your emotions. And since breathing is not usually something we do with conscious intention, it is often the first thing that goes awry when we are stressed. Many times in a yoga class, the instructor will have to remind their students to breathe, and most students will laugh at the realization that they were so caught up in the challenge of a particular moment in the class, that they discover they are holding their breath and needed that reminder.

I would be grateful to hear what techniques others here are using, to counteract their triggers.

Deep breathing when triggered is like putting pressure on a cut to keep it from bleeding, and I thought I should at least mention this very simple technique here, and make something positive come from this little "reminder"...this reminder that I am still not yet fully healed, even though I know I have gotten through the understanding and acceptance phase and am also able to recognize N-types very quickly now when I encounter them.

I am so looking forward to the day that this physical panic/anxiety reaction...I guess it is a form of PTSD...goes away!