When things happen in the world that shake our sense of safety, our levels of adrenaline skyrockets leaving us stressed and feeling out of control.
- The first thing to do is breathe. Basically, deep breathing and adrenaline can’t co-exist in the same body as it triggers the release of a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) that calms you down and most importantly, stops your thoughts from racing so you can think straight.
- Next, think about what you can and cannot control and move your focus to make changes to things you do have control over. You can influence your children to have good morals and to treat women or people who are different from themselves well. You can go through life following your own inner compass about how to treat people.
- Stress often makes us focus on the negative and ignore the positives in our lives. Widen the lens you are looking through. You may be disappointed at the moment but there are still many really good things in the world and your life. Your life is more than this one moment.
- Do a random act of kindness to make yourself and someone else feel better.
- Hug the ones you love. A good hug is the fastest way for you to get oxytocin flowing in your body. This “love drug” calms your nervous system and boosts positive emotions.
- Spend time with people who share your same value system. Vent about your feelings with like-minded people and buffer yourself by knowing that there are other people who are feeling the same way you do.
- Most importantly, be kind to yourself and give yourself the time to process your feelings and do whatever makes you happy in this moment and to others so they know that there are people out there who care.
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