The ability to manage our emotions and remain calm under pressure is an extremely important quality. It not only enhances your physical and mental health, it also helps the people around you to optimize their performance. Calmness is a goal we should all strive to attain. It will lessen the hold anxiety and worry have on us.
“There are times when we stop, we sit still. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.”
James Carroll
In order to be able know the effects of calmness, we need to know what it is. We need to be able to retrieve it from our arsenal when it is needed in our lives.
You can start your day with a calming morning ritual. Take time to sit quietly, close your eyes, and concentrate on your breath. Even if it is only for a few minutes, it helps. If you have the time, reading a daily passage is also beneficial. Later, as your day progresses, and you find yourself totally immersed in your work, you will profit from that time you spent in the morning.
Benefits of feeling calm:
- Get control of your emotions
- Become more in tune with your thoughts
- Increase creativity
- Communicate better
- Healthier body
Research has shown that a certain amount of stress is necessary for us to perform at our best. Intermittent stress can be beneficial. However, too much will cause us to shut down and be less effective. Prolonged exposure to stress increases the likelihood of heart disease, depression, and obesity. It will also decrease our cognitive functioning. For these reasons, it is important to have ways to lessen the amount of prolonged stress on our everyday lives.
Ways to decrease stress:
- Stay positive
- Turn off technology – unplug
- Meditate – turn off your mind
- Take deep breaths
- Put events in perspective
- Avoid negative self-talk
- Find your own support system in the people in your life
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”
Hermann Hesse
Fortunately, the majority of our stress is personal and under our control. If we have coping strategies to utilize in times of need, we can keep our stress intermittent and useful.
Find the calm within yourself. Make it your “go-to” when feelings overwhelm you. Think of it as your way to ward off the negativity of other people and to help when external situations threaten to overtake you.
Organizing, Growing, and Finding Peace Together 