| How to Calm Down When You’re About to Lose Your Cool | | | | | | Take a Deep Breath | | As trite as it sounds, taking a deep breath is an important way to signal to your body that while the threat may feel overwhelming, you’re actually safe. Psychotherapist Lesley Smith recommends a quick exercise called a 4-6-8 breath. First, breathe in for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of six, exhale for a count of eight, then repeat. “When you exhale longer than you inhale, it cues to your body that everything is calmer,” Smith says. Counting, she adds, can also distract you from what’s stressing you out. |
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| | | | Ground Yourself With Your Five Senses | | Using your five senses is another simple-but-impactful way to remind your nervous system that, in spite of the surrounding stressors, your body doesn’t need to fire on all cylinders. Molly Dutter-Ansari, PhD, says engaging each of your five senses can bring your body back to the present moment, where it’s easier to see reality for what it is (and make logical decisions instead of freaking out). |
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| | | | Move Your Body | When you’re on the edge of losing your cool, your body is holding on to a lot of energy. One way to release that excess energy? Yep, you guessed it: Move your body. Whether you bang out a few jumping jacks or take a brisk walk around the block, physically blowing off steam can keep you from emotionally exploding in the moment. Plus, psychotherapist Heather Kent points out that because exercise releases stress-busting hormones like endorphins, it can help improve your mood.
Here are a few more suggestions on how to calm yourself down. |
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