By Laura • 5 Comments
When someone has done their best to rub you up the wrong way, finding reasons for staying calm is probably the last thing you want to do. Still, there are very few benefits to losing your cool. In fact, when you think about it logically, you rarely feel good after blowing your lid. Next time you feel like exploding, try thinking of these reasons for staying calm.
From the second someone irks you to the moment you let rip on them, losing your cool is never a dignified experience! For a few brief moments, you may feel as though it was the right thing to do. Then, before you know it, you are sat wondering why on earth you lost it in the first place. Out of all the reasons for staying calm, this has to be one of the best. Trust me, it is so gratifying knowing you kept your cool when someone made you angry.
Honestly, people act like asses because they WANT a response. Sometimes they consciously set out to make you angry. At other times they may subconsciously set out to seek a reaction. Either way, one of the best ways to get your own back is to not give them the satisfaction of a reaction. Even if you are bubbling inside, be polite. Not only does it save you feeling embarrassed afterwards, the antagonist will be annoyed too.
Calming down really is easier when you don’t react. Once you begin reacting to your anger, you perpetuate a cycle of hormones that leaves you feeling highly strung. To instigate the calming down process immediately, try taking deep breaths. Also, remind yourself that whatever is making you angry is not worth getting angry over. Before you know it, you’ll be back to your usual calm self.
When we get angry, a hormone called cortisol is released. In short-term bursts, cortisol is great for reacting quickly to emergency situations. However, if you stay angry for a long time it can have negative effects. It will decrease your muscle volume, bone density, and suppress your thyroid function. These are side-effects of long-term anger and stress, which means resolving your problems is essential if you want to remain healthy.
If you are a frequent stomper, yeller, and door slammer, you could be increasing your risk of heart disease. Again, this is all to do with hormones. Both cortisol and adrenaline make your heart pump faster, and eventually your blood vessels constrict. All of this leads to a nasty dose of hypertension eventually. It is worth remembering that this applies to those who are frequently explosive. If that is you, try to find ways to relax rather than burst.
It sort of stands to reason that your increased heart rate and constricted blood vessels may eventually cause a headache. Throw muscle tension into the mix and you have the perfect recipe for an achy cranium! This means that—once you simmer down—you will feel a bit miserable as well. Save yourself the bother and the cost of painkillers by trying to cool down straight away. You’ll be grateful you stayed calm when you can go through the rest of the day headache-free.
Okay, so you know you need to stay calm, but now what? One of the best reasons for not losing your cool is that the activities you do to stay calm are actually quite fun. Take meditation for example; it involves a lot of time on your own and reflecting. Yoga is also great, and it helps you stay toned. Ultimately, staying calm is good all round.
Nobody is perfect, which means we are all bound to get mad at some point or another! However, if you can absolutely help it, try not to. Your health and your sanity will be saved! How do you stay calm when someone makes you mad?