Remaining calm promotes rational thinking, better decision-making, and improved overall well-being. I recommend this simple self-management strategy to help manage emotions and restore calm.
Serene Strategies: Mastering the Art of Remaining Calm
This strategy to remain calm seems so simple that many might dismiss it at first glance. Staying calm is crucial for managing emotions, allowing for rational thinking, better decision-making, and improved overall well-being.
It's hard to believe it takes ten seconds or less for your brain to become calm and rational and regain control of highly charged emotions. However, once you employ this strategy, you take a step closer to effectively controlling your emotions when facing a stressful or challenging situation.
Considering that 90% of top performers skillfully manage their emotions when engaged in highly stressful situations, it’s vital to learn this strategy.
Choosing A Lifestyle Of Calm And Mindfulness
Chade-Meng Tan, the Search Inside Yourself Institute chairman, explored the importance of practicing calming techniques. He explains, “Learning to calm the mind starts with being more mindful of the body. By bringing mindful attention to the body, you strengthen the part of your brain called the insula, which is highly correlated with strong emotional awareness and empathy.”
Counting to ten will stop the flow of emotions like frustration and anger that flood your brain. This strategy helps you relax and give your mind time to calm down and develop a clear and rational perspective. You can then manage the situation calmly rather than blurring out a charged emotional reaction. In other words, you won't overheat the brain's limbic system while your thoughts travel to the prefrontal cortex, where logic resides.
Simple Steps To Remain Calm
- Stop and take a deep breath
- Exhale and then start counting: 1, 2, 3 …
- Keep counting until you reach 10
- Remember to breathe deeply while counting
The ability to understand and manage emotions is empowering. Admittedly, it takes time to develop, but this technique for managing difficult emotions and stressful situations is as straightforward as counting to ten with daily practice. As you strengthen your emotional intelligence, Your ability to remain calm and rational will be natural. Read The Power of Emotion for more strategies, or try an EQ-i 2.0: Self-Assessment.
This article was originally published on April 7, 2018, and has been updated (January 2024).
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