Choose Your Reaction: How to Stay Calm in Stressful Situations

Life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like it's getting harder every day. When you’re constantly dealing with bills, deadlines, family obligations, and unexpected events, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. But how you react to these situations can make all the difference. I've been exploring ways how to stay calm and logical even in the most stressful situations. I've posted the ones that have been helping me the most below. 

• Take a deep breath. This might sound like a no-brainer, but taking a deep breath can help you slow down your thoughts and pump oxygen back into your body which helps you feel relaxed and centered. If you're feeling anxious, try the 4-7-8 breathing method. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat this breath cycle for a few minutes and you will find yourself feeling more at peace. Try it. Yeah, like right now. It's kind of amazing. 
  
  
• Pause and reflect on the situation. Ask yourself, "What can I control and what can't I?" Focusing on things you can control will help you feel more empowered and focused. If you're stuck in traffic and worrying about being late for a meeting, you can't control the traffic, but you can control your response. Instead of getting anxious, put on some calming music and use this time to plan your priorities for the week ahead. 
  
  
• Recognize that everyone has bad days and goes through crises from time to time. It's natural to feel upset, angry, or sad when things don't go as planned. But how you react to these situations is a choice. You can either choose to react with panic and negativity, or you can choose to remain calm and logical to take control and find a solution. I'm getting much better at this one, but I still struggle. 
  
  
• Know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, talk to a professional who can help you find the support and tools you need. 

Remember that you're not going to be perfect at this. No one is. 

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Do you have other ways that help you stay calm when things go crazy? Let us know in the comments below!