Keeping composure under pressure is an admiral skill, and one that I think we could all enlist to keep us calm in those more sticky situations. Whether you’re running late for a deadline, been put on the spot and asked to share ideas on an unanticipated topic, giving a speech/pitch, or attempting to sell a proposal, being able to think on your feet and stay calm under immense pressure is extremely handy for getting through it all without breaking a sweat or losing your nerve. Mastering the art of thinking on your feet will instill an instant burst of confidence within yourself and express an air of trustworthy for your colleagues.
Know your stuff
Ensuring that you’re an expert in your field is a sure fire way in ensuring that you’re not going to be caught off guard without an answer or rebuttal in high-pressure situations. Really making yourself familiar with the ins and outs of your subject matter will give you the push to confidently enter that meeting with your head held high or give that speech to the very best of your ability. This doesn’t mean that you need to memorise every single miniscule detail about anything and everything, but being confident in your knowledge will help you remain calm and collected in the event that you are put on the spot.
Relax Your Body
Feeling stressed often results in tension throughout the body. Is your body responding with the hunching of your shoulders around your ears, or clenched teeth and fists? Setting aside a couple moments to take in a few big deep breaths to calm your body is a natural and effective exercise for combatting stress and delivering immediate results for relaxation. Be aware of where your body is holding any tenseness and concentrate of relieving that tension.
Take five
No matter the rush on any given scenario, there is always time to stop, gather your thoughts and assess the situation. If you’re feeling like you need to take five- then do so. Your boss, colleagues or clients will wait for your response and I guarantee you that they’re going to prefer a well thought-out reply after a few short minutes wait over a quick inept response delivered in hast.
Stay Healthy
It’s no big secret that a healthy lifestyle creates a strong and well-trained brain. Sticking to a healthy routine builds your body into a platform that is more capable of handling stress and anxiety, which will gallantly come to your defence when things get tough. Healthy body, healthy mind.
Avoid unhelpful thoughts
Thoughts such as blaming yourself, others, or your situation are examples of unhelpful thinking habits. These will hinder your clarity and inhibit you from combatting the situation in the most effective way. You do not want your mind caught up with those unaccommodating and negative thoughts when it could be busy working to your full advantage. Try focussing on things that will empower you and your situation. This will, in turn, help you to act with control due to a greater calmness and emotional stability.
Breathing Control
This is a big one. Learning to breathe deeply into your diaphragm when stressed is a fantastic method that can be used to invoke calmness and maintain composure. If you are under pressure and feel yourself going into panic mode, take adeep breaths in for 5 seconds, hold for 5 and then release for 5. Repeat this process until you feel your body starting to relax and your heart beat slow to a steady pace. Trust me, it works.
All of these techniques used in conjunction with one another form a legion of defences that will aid you when you are in need. Learning to create calmness within your body and mind will determine how you then react to a stressful situation. Another great system for mental strength is Yoga. Check out our previous blog ‘Yoga Can Change Your Life And Improve Your Mental Health!’ that talks about the immense advantages that Yoga can provide for you.
Which of these mind-over-matter techniques do you implore when you’re feeling the heat? Leave a comment to let us know! x