When a crisis hits, whether you experience a power outage or a personal challenge, staying cool is a must. If you start to panic, you fail to think clearly and can tend to make less-than-intelligent decisions. To help you, here are some must-know tips that will help you stay cool even under the most difficult of conditions.
Breathe First and React After
A lot of people tend to react first then reflect. And while this may be your initial instinct, it’s important to train yourself not to panic. Take a deep breath before doing anything, hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. This will help slow your heart rate down, and clear your mind. That way, you can focus on what needs to be done and carry out logical thinking rather than panic-induced thinking.
Focus on What You Can Control
Instead of fixating on what you can’t control, which is the root of crisis and panic, focus on what you can control. Look around and shift your focus to what you can do. Prioritize immediate actions, whether it’s making a phone call or finding a safe place to take refuge, gather all the necessary information you need to take the next steps towards safety.
Stay Present
Many people tend to think about the future so much in a panic that they fail to stay in the present. When panic sets in, your brain jumps to the worst case scenario that could happen, not necessarily what is happening.
It’s critical that you stay present by grounding yourself. Take a look around and name a few things that you can see, touch, and feel. This will help you from feeling overwhelmed by “what if this could happen, what if this could happen,” and instead deal with what’s actually in front of you. “What if “scenarios may feel like they’re keeping you safe since you’re anticipating potential situations, but in reality, they’re only distracting you from what is.
Stay Connected
You don’t have to handle everything alone in an emergency. Reach out to someone you trust and they may very well be likely to help you. This is especially true in an emotional crisis. Some people may be afraid to bother other people with their emotional so-called burdens, but this is the last way you should navigate the crisis. Talking things out and feeling supported can make a world of difference in how you navigate a situation. Stay calm, stay focused, and accept support and guidance from the people around you.
Crises can be unpredictable, but one thing that is predictable is knowing exactly what you would do in an emergency situation. The more you can play it out in your mind and prepare yourself, the less panicked you’ll be should an actual crisis occur.
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