Training to Be Relaxed in Stressful Situations

Training to be relaxed in stressful situations

Most of us face many things daily that stress us out: an overwhelming number of tasks, a big meeting, a project that feels really tough, being behind on paying bills, someone who is upset with us, or a family crisis. Let’s face it: the world feels chaotic!

But can we find a way to be relaxed in almost any stressful situation?

Absolutely! All it takes is some training. And of course, lots of practice.

Let’s imagine you’re feeling stressed right now. Think about whatever you need to get done, about an interpersonal conflict, about something coming up in the near future. Anything that makes you feel stressed.

What is it that’s stressing you out about this? You might start telling me all the details of the situation or all the things the other person has done wrong. That’s your narrative. The actual thing that’s stressing you out is the narrative, or how you view the situation or person. Your perception.

Now, what if you could let go of that view and just be in this present moment, without that narrative? Where this stress exists, there could be a feeling of peace and openness. Try it right now.

This is the training. Relax the narrative, loosen your view, and drop into the openness of the present moment. Breathe deeply, and relax your body. Relax the jaw, relax the muscles in your torso. Feel the openness that exists at this moment.

With training, you can do this before you walk into your next job interview or as you go into a stressful meeting, or enter a chaotic scene, or prepare to have a difficult conversation with someone. Try starting with the easier situations first: when you’re on your laptop or washing dishes. Or maybe when you’re out for a walk or talking with a friend.

Breathe, relax, and let go of the narrative and perspective you are holding on to, in order to find the peaceful openness of the present moment.