how to be calm

Consider this: You have 30 seconds to diffuse a bomb.

The clock is ticking away. You have to choose between two wires. 20 Seconds. Pressure is mounting. 10 Seconds. People are panic stricken. 5 seconds. You begin to panic too! One cannot stress the importance of being calm in stressful situations enough. The following list will elicit some helpful steps to combat stress and keep calm.

1. Identify Stress: Is your heart pounding because of your speeding vehicle or because you need to catch your flight in an hour's time? Clear your head for a moment and just think about the origin of your stress. The human brain is such an expert at solving problems that when directed, it uses all its energy to ease it out. Focusing on the real source causes the brain to discharge its stabilizing hormones to get the situation under control.

2. Choose Your Response: If you cannot relate to the origin of your stress, you can definitely alter your response strategy. Depending upon the type of stress, you can either shake it off or face it. In order to determine the direction of your response consider the following questions:
• Does stressing over it really matter in the long run? With an impending deadline on your shoulders and huge expectations from your superiors, you might fret a lot to deliver your best. But does stressing over it, make your performance any better?
• How much can you control the situation? You cannot control the rain ruining your daughter's outdoor birthday party, but you can control how best you choose to finish the presentation for work tomorrow.
• Is the source of your stress in the near or distant past? You cannot control or change things that have already happened. So losing sleep over them is futile. Instead, living your present and be

ing prepared for your future is something within your reach.

3. Take Action: Nothing good has transpired from sitting and mulling over negative thoughts in your head. Procrastinating on an action is something that can cause further stress. Facing it head on is the best way to get rid of it. Empower yourself to believe that you can, and the impossible will become possible. Once you have resolved the problem, the underlying stress will melt away.

4. Shake It Off: If a situation is truly beyond your control, you need to find ways to shake off your stress. Here's how:
• Breathe: Close your eyes. Inhale deeply through your nose. Count to 5. Exhale through your mouth. Repeat till you feel the negative energy draining off your body.
• Distract Yourself: Think about the things that make you happy. Think about cars. Think about your partner. Visualise yourself on a beach in Goa – the sun on your face, the wind in your hair, and the ocean kissing your feet. You will feel better instantly. Take a drive out on a quiet and long stretch of road. Physically removing yourself from stress will help view your situation in proper perspective.
* Exercise: Sometimes a quick workout helps when nothing else works. Take a swim, go for a jog, do some yoga. The body and mind get into combat mode when working out, and the body releases stabilising hormones that normalise stress and make you feel invigorated.

Stress is the amalgam of all the problems in life. It is the cause of and the reaction to situations. Learning to stay calm will not only help go over rough times easily, but will also ensure a happier and peaceful future.