Stress is part of life, as we go through our day to-day lives and interact with other people, we may feel anxious, uneasy, or even angry. Circumstances outside of our control, however, can take a normal situation to a stressful one. We can feel pressure from our work, our relationships, from parenting, and from thwarted expectations. That's normal. Our emotions are simply our reactions to the world around us. we can't control it but fortunately, we can build resilience by learning how to calm ourselves down when upset. Here are 10 ways to calm yourself down in stressful situations:

1. Admit That You’re Anxious Or Angry
Allow yourself to say that you’re anxious or angry. When you label how you’re feeling and allow yourself to express it, the anxiety and anger you’re experiencing may decrease.
2. Get Some Fresh Air
Remove yourself from that environment as soon as possible and go outside even if it’s just for a few minutes. Not only will the fresh air help calm you down, but also the change of scenery can sometimes interrupt your anxious or angry thought process.
3. Focus on Your Breathing
Engaging in deep breathing techniques that are deliberate and methodical can be immensely helpful in calming down.
4. Close Your Eyes
Just closing your eyes for a few minutes can help reset your mind by reducing stimulation.
5. Visualize Yourself Calm
This tip requires you to practice the breathing techniques you’ve learned. After taking a few deep breaths, close your eyes and picture yourself calm. See your body relaxed, and imagine yourself working through a stressful or anxiety-causing situation by staying calm and focused.
By creating a mental picture of what it looks like to stay calm, you can refer back to that image when you’re anxious.
6. Relax Your Body
When you’re anxious or angry, it can feel like every muscle in your body is tense (and they probably are). Practicing progressive muscle relaxation can help you calm down and center yourself. To do this, lie down on the floor with your arms out by your side. Make sure your feet aren’t crossed and your hands aren’t in fists. Start at your toes and tell yourself to release them. Slowly move up your body, telling yourself to release each part of your body until you get to your head.
7. Drop Your Shoulders
If your body is tense, there’s a good chance your posture will suffer. Sit up tall, take a deep breath, and drop your shoulders. To do this, you can focus on bringing your shoulder blades together and then down. This pulls your shoulders down. Take a few deep breaths. You can do this several times a day.
8. Listen to Music
The next time you feel your anxiety level cranking up, grab some headphones and tune in to your favorite music. Listening to music can have a very calming effect on your body and mind.
9. Light Up a Scented Candle.
Scented candles play a significant role in how your mood and mental state shift. In fact, candles can affect you physiologically and impact you on a biological level. This is because scents stimulate the limbic system in your brain, which, as a result, stimulates the release of “happy hormones.” These hormones are serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals directly influence your mood from the inside out.
10. Watch Funny videos
Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. Research has found that laughing provides therapeutic benefits and can help relieve stress and improve mood and quality of life. Do a quick internet search to find funny videos for an instant mood boost.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be taken as psychological, legal, investment, financial, accounting, or tax advice.
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