8 Tips on Keeping Your Cool When Faced With Stress

Even when you strive for a peaceful existence, life can throw you like a loop. Suddenly, you’re looking for a new job or apartment and drowning in stress. How can you remain calm when the world gives you chaos?Learning how to manage difficult situations without getting frazzled is a superpower. Here are eight tips on keeping your cool when faced with stress.

1. Find a 4-Legged Friend

You aren't alone if you’re among the many who find more solace in animals than people. In a recent poll, 20% of women reported their dog was better emotional support than their husband or kids.Animals don’t judge. They don’t offer advice when you just want to vent or interrupt you with, “Reminds me of that one time I…,” derailing the conversation.Maybe that’s why 70% of Americans have at least one pet, often several. If your lease says “no dogs allowed,” offer to walk your friend’s or sign up for a shift at your local shelter. Spending time with animals and performing acts of kindness decreases cortisol and releases positive neurotransmitters.

2. Just Breathe

Yogis know deep breathing can calm you in troubled times. It tones your vagus nerve, activating your parasympathetic nervous system. That’s the half of your autonomic system that tells you to chill, rest and digestThere are scores of breathing techniques, but anything that slows and deepens your inhales and exhales helps. You could try the following

• Boxed breathing: Inhale, hold, exhale, hold, all on a 4-count.
• 2-to-1 breathing: Exhale twice as long as you inhale.
• Sip-sip-aah: Take two shorter inhales, as if sipping the air, then exhale through your mouth with a sigh.

3. Chill Out

A cold shower can do more than cool you down when you’re hot and bothered. It also relieves stress by activating your vagus nerve.However, there’s no need to freeze. You can get a similar effect by splashing cold water on your face near the spot where your chin meets your ear and cheeks — your vagus meets other nerves in this area.

4. Sweat It

Exercise is Mother Nature’s natural stress relief. Your body doesn’t know if you’re hitting a punching bag or defeating an attacker, but it adjusts your neurotransmitters and hormones accordingly after vanquishing the enemyAnything that gets your heart pumping for at least 15 minutes does the trick. Run a mile on the treadmill or do a brief HIIT workout on your favorite fitness app.

5. Stretch It

Yoga teaches you to manage stress. Think about it — you hold increasingly challenging postures, all while deep breathing and telling your body it's OK. If that’s not some heavy-duty nervous system training, what is? Best of all, you don’t have to be flexible to do it and you can find oodles of free classes on YouTube. Relax to one in the privacy of your living room before you make any big decisions.

6. Take It Outside

Studies show simply gazing at pictures of natural scenes reduces stress. Now amplify that effect by immersing yourself in it. Lace up your boots and hike at your nearest park, nature center or wildlife conservation area.

7. Talk It Out

Humans are social creatures — cooperation is key to survival. Talking through the stress you face helps you keep your cool. It gives form and substance to your thoughts and provides extra advice and insight. Pick someone who

• Validates you: They take your concern seriously.
• Actively listens: They aren’t looking at their phone while you spill your guts.
• Lends positive support: Watch out for Negative Nancies who find every reason things can’t get better. Stick with those who support you in working toward your dreams.

8. Find Your Zen

Meditation is the ultimate way to stay calm when faced with stress — but there’s a catch. This ancient practice won’t work nearly as effectively if the only time you sit is when you’re already frazzled. It’s a bit like trying to run a marathon without trainingPractice sitting quietly with your thoughts and feelings now, just letting them be. Do this daily, starting with a minute and building from there. Once you get comfortable simply being with difficult emotions, you can stop irrational reactions that create more stress, and respond calmly and mindfully to life’s ups and downs.

Find Your Own Ways to Conquer Stress

Just when you thought life was going well, catastrophe strikes, leaving you buried with stress. A calm head helps you think more clearly, but how can you keep your cool? Follow the above tips to build a reserve of inner peace you can call upon when life gets chaotic.