By Katie Nall, Ph.D.
Telling someone to calm down really doesn’t help calm them. How do we calm ourselves? So many suggestions we already know to relax: breathing, mindfulness, forgiveness, gratitude, being outdoors, stopping electronic connections.
But none of those work when we are wound so tight we don’t even recognize our condition.
What is your ‘tell’ or signal that you need to relax? For me, I know it’s time to step away when my patience run thin.
Noticing when you need to take care of yourself is the first step in relaxing. If you can’t see it in yourself, ask friends and relatives – I know they’ll be able to tell you directly!
In the meantime, straighten your back, drop your chin, and take a few deep breathes – R.E.L.A.X.
Katie
