How to stay CALM in stressful situations. We’ve all faced stressful situations before from job interviews, to examinations, to our day-to-day lives.
How to stay CALM in stressful situations
Learning how to “stay calm” in those situations is not only advantageous, but critical in avoiding mistakes and maintaining our sense of perspective. Below, we’ll go over 10 tips for staying calm during stressful situations.
1. Take a deep breath.
It might look cliché, but taking a couple deep breaths slows down your body’s reactions significantly. When we’re feeling stressed or anxious, adrenaline and other stress hormones are released into our bodies. This increases our heart rate and leads to shallow, rapid breathing which is unhelpful in a stressful situation.
2. Stop worrying.
When we’re feeling stressed, it can be hard not to catastrophize. Don’t let your mind wander to the worst-case scenarios instead, focus on positive outcomes and view the situation with an optimistic outlook.
3. Meditate or practice mindfulness.
Meditation and mindfulness are two great methods for calming yourself down in a stressful moment. Mindfulness is the practice of simply being present in the moment and observing our feelings without judgement.
To practice mindfulness, take some deep breaths and pay attention to the sounds, smells, and other sensations going on around you. Meditation is the practice of calming and focusing your mind. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, practice one of these two techniques before any stressful situation you may find yourself in.
4. Talk to someone.
Talking to someone about the stressful situation you’re facing can be helpful in two ways. First, it allows the person lending an ear to guide you with advice and opinion. Second, it distracts you from the situation, and gives you a person-to-person interaction to focus on.
5. Visualize success.
Visualization can play a major role in your journey to calmness. Imagine a successful and calm version of yourself, and try to emulate their behaviours. Visualize the situation going well, and try to keep that thought in your mind in times of stress.
6. Make a to-do list.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, making a to-do list not only organizes your thoughts but also gives you a sense of agency and progress. Prioritize the items on the list by importance, and then re-examine the list until all the tasks are complete.
7. Plan ahead.
The best way to prevent feeling overwhelmed is to plan and prepare ahead of time. Being overprepared for a stressful situation can give you a sense of control and help you maintain your calm.
8. Talk to yourself.
The power of self-talk should never be underestimated. When you find yourself in a stressful situation, remind yourself of how capable you are. Reassure yourself that you can handle it even if it’s scary or intimidating.
9. Exercise.
It’s no secret that physical activity releases endorphins which is often referred to as the “happy” hormone. Exercise can help loosen your sensibility and give you the break you need to re-group and plan your next steps.
10. Practice self-care.
Self-care can help you maintain your mental well-being and be better equipped to handle stressful situations. Activities like reading a book, taking a nap, going for a walk, or eating something healthy can all help reduce stress and bring you back to calm.
How to stay CALM in stressful situations
Staying calm in stressful situations is an important skill to have. Following the tips mentioned in this article can help you stay focused and in control no matter the situation. Indeed, staying calm can serve you in a multitude of ways, from bringing clarity of thought to allowing you to find the most successful way out of your situation.
FAQs
How can I stay calm in a stressful situation?
The best way to stay calm in a stressful situation is to take deep breaths, practice mindful and/or meditative techniques, talk to someone, visualize success, make a to-do list, plan ahead, talk to yourself, exercise, and practice self-care.
What are the benefits of staying calm?
The benefits of staying calm are numerous, ranging from clarity of thought to an ability to think objectively and find the most successful way out of the situation. Staying calm is also the key to avoiding mistakes and maintaining a sense of perspective.
How do I control my emotions in stressful situations?
Control your emotions in stressful situations by taking deep, calming breaths, practicing mindfulness and/or meditation, talking to yourself in a positive way, visualizing success, and distracting yourself with activities that can help you gain perspective.
How do I calm down quickly when stressed?
There are a number of ways to quickly calm down when stressed. These include deep breathing, talking to someone, exercising, and engaging in activities to distract yourself and regain control.
What techniques can be used to remain calm in a stressful situation?
The most effective techniques for remaining calm in a stressful situation are deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, visualization, talking to someone, making a to-do list, planning ahead, self-talk, exercise, and self-care.
What can I do to stay calm under pressure?
Certain activities such as deep breathing, yoga, and mindfulness meditation can help you stay calm under pressure. Additionally, talking to someone, visualizing success, planning ahead, exercising, and practicing self-care are all helpful activities for reducing stress and staying calm in a pressure-filled situation.
