We've all seen the slogan "Keep calm and carry on", but how can we actually become and stay calm throughout our lives? In today's fast-paced world, stress is a common problem. But it is possible to reduce your anxiety and find calm amidst the chaos. This article walks you through 7 winning ways to be calmer.
What is a Calm Person?
A calm person is someone who has an inner peace. They are happy with what they have in life and don't depend on other people's approval or validation. They know how to find the silver lining in every situation, and don't get upset easily. Calm people can still experience very strong emotions like excitement and anger, but they don't get overwhelmed by them. When something bad happens, they know how to control themselves even if others around them aren't acting the same way.
The benefits of being a calmer person are vast and can impact many areas of your life. When you know how to keep your anger in check and control your emotions, you become less reactive and more in tune with what is happening around you. This can lead to improved relationships, both personal and professional, as well as a more positive outlook on life. As they say, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. So take some time for yourself to work on becoming a calmer person – the rewards will be worth it!
How Can You Become a Calmer Person?
There are many ways that you can become a calmer person. One way is to practise deep breathing exercises. This will help to oxygenate your blood and calm your mind. You can also drink plenty of water, as this will help to keep you hydrated and relaxed. Besides this, doing the following steps on a regular basis will help you put your anger under control and improve the quality of your daily life.
1. Let It Go
Realise that you can't control everything or affect the outcome of many experiences you have. It can be tempting to rush around, trying to resolve things as quickly as possible. But this is likely to lead to fatigue, stress and poor health and wellbeing.
So if you can't do anything about a situation at the moment, forget about it and deal with it later. Or simply let it slide.
2. Be More Mindful
Numerous studies have shown that mindfulness – and mindfulness meditation – can greatly boost focus, productivity and creativity while reducing anxiety, stress and other negative feelings.
Practise focusing on just one thing at a time. Sip your cup of coffee without checking your Facebook feed. Talk to a friend without doing chores at the same time. Take your time, focus on one thing and you'll soon be living in the moment, with no worries of the future.
3. Be Kind
Calmness comes from self-love and acceptance. It's hard to take an optimistic viewpoint when you're constantly worrying about yourself, how you appear to others and what you're doing with your life. So be gentle, make mistakes and learn from them, and see yourself as valuable. Be kind and the calmness will come.
4. Banish Procrastination
We can't live life on an island. There are always going to be things to do and accomplish – and be responsible for. To approach these tasks calmly, it's best not to leave them 'til the last minute. So each day, write a list of the most important things to do that day. Keep the list short and roll tasks over to tomorrow if you don't get to them. That way, you're getting the crucial things done without cramming in too much.
5. Avoid Hot Headed People
It's true that we become who we associate with. So if you want to be calmer, mingle with calm people. Keep your distance from an angry person who always craves drama or is generally negative, and always do your best to rise above stressful situations.
6. Go for Walks
Going for walks outside can be a great way to calm feelings of anger. Getting some quiet time while out in nature, surrounded by trees and fresh air, can relax and clear your mind. Taking a walk is also a good way to get some exercise, which can help to boost your mood. If you don't have time to go for a full walk, even taking a few minutes to step outside and get some fresh air can make a big difference.
As a bonus tip, drinking water before going for a walk will help you stay hydrated when walking long distances. This is especially useful in hot weather when missing even one glass of water can make you feel tired more quickly than usual.
Source: elearinginfographics.com
7. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep every night is essential for our wellbeing. When we get less than 7 hours of sleep, it can affect our mood and make us more easily aggravated and angry. It is important to get a good night's rest every night. If you have insomnia or other sleep disorders, try some relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi or breathing techniques an hour before bedtime.
There are many other activities that can help naturally calm you down, but these 7 tips will surely help you to feel less stressed and more relaxed. Life may not always be rainbows and butterflies, but taking the time to appreciate what you have will make you see its beauty every day.
Originally published on Oct 17, 2014
