Negotiation can feel threatening when we associate it with conflict. Childhood experiences—like witnessing constant arguing or punishment for speaking honestly—can trigger anxiety in adult negotiations. Conservative psychology emphasizes that early lessons about authority and respect influence our ability to advocate for ourselves. Naturopaths note that prolonged stress responses, rooted in early experiences, can create physical reactions—tight muscles, shallow breathing—when negotiating. Understanding these reactions allows us to pause and respond rather than react, creating a calmer, more effective negotiation process.