Calm Yourself in Their Storm

If you are human, then I am positive you have found yourself in situations that have brought out the worst in you. Better stated, you have been in situations that you ALLOWED to bring out the worst in you. I'd like for you to consider a few helpful tips to manage your kneejerk reaction in unfavorable situations. The first being that nothing can escalate should you chose not to engage.

A prudent tongue holds itself even when it is in the right. The wise person understands words spoken harshly will not sway anyone to reconsider their viewpoint. Another discipline that should be practiced is remaining calm. I know...I know...calm isn't an easy state of being when someone is driving you loopy. Hence the idea of practicing calmness. If you feel your temperature begin to rise, immediately start taking slow, deep breaths. There is a science behind this concept; it's not a mindless attempt to keep your mouth shut. You see, when our mental chatter is distracting us, or when we are on the verge of chaos, taking a deep breath helps us re-center and brings us back to the present moment. When we are experiencing an emotional reaction, slow deep breaths trigger the release of endorphins, producing a calming effect. So you see...the best way to practice "calm" really is by intentional breathing. When we have a balanced state of mind in unwelcomed events and conversations, we have the upper hand. Establishing these boundaries for yourself also teaches others what they can and cannot expect from you. Did you know that when we argue and win, our brain floods with different hormones: adrenaline and dopamine, which makes us feel good, dominant, even invincible. It’s a feeling many of us would want to replicate. So when considering that person who always seems to want to fight, chances are it's because subconsciously they are addicted to the argument. Don't give it to them and subconsciously their brains will be less likely to seek you out for its next high. The reality of our circumstances is in our control. We do not have to participate in anything negative. Changing our thought patterns and practicing a few self-disciplined will lead us to a more tranquil life even in the most stressful situations.