I will attest to the deep breathing methods! I know it sounds woo but pausing and focusing on breath for even the shortest time is life-changing in a stressful situation.
For me, the jury is out on the "will it matter in two months" thing though. It depends what the situation is. Some things might be worse in two months if you don't get a handle on it immediately, of if ypu don't have the means to handle it.
Yes, you have to pick the right one of these methods. Some things will matter in two months, but that jerk cutting you off on the freeway isn’t one of them. Unless you end up going to jail after road raging him into the ditch because you didn’t use the 3 breath method!
These are great suggestions and I love that you included Amy Cuddy's video. I've called on her power stance many times over the years.
I often use the physiological sigh that I learned from Andrew Huberman which he explains in his podcast. His lab (I think it was his lab?) researched students during the pandemic and found it to be one of the most effective ways to decrease stress in real time. It's two inhales followed by one long exhale.
Thanks, Kyle! I didn’t mention it in this article, but all of these tactics could be considered a means of making yourself more flexible, more resilient in the face of stress.
The “will this matter in two months”-method reminded me of a story how somebody overcame road rage: All he did was have a post it on his dashboard: “Is this situation worth it to have my blood boiling”?
I imagine simply reading this could bring me down instantly or bite the steering wheel, lol
It’s easy to get lost in the moment and how awfully terrible or important something is. So many times though, it will evaporate and take care of itself in only a few days
I will attest to the deep breathing methods! I know it sounds woo but pausing and focusing on breath for even the shortest time is life-changing in a stressful situation.
For me, the jury is out on the "will it matter in two months" thing though. It depends what the situation is. Some things might be worse in two months if you don't get a handle on it immediately, of if ypu don't have the means to handle it.
Yes, you have to pick the right one of these methods. Some things will matter in two months, but that jerk cutting you off on the freeway isn’t one of them. Unless you end up going to jail after road raging him into the ditch because you didn’t use the 3 breath method!
Ha!! I see what you did there 😁 The old one-two combo.
Not woo. Physiology!
These are great suggestions and I love that you included Amy Cuddy's video. I've called on her power stance many times over the years.
I often use the physiological sigh that I learned from Andrew Huberman which he explains in his podcast. His lab (I think it was his lab?) researched students during the pandemic and found it to be one of the most effective ways to decrease stress in real time. It's two inhales followed by one long exhale.
I haven't heard of this sigh, I wonder which episode of the Lab it was in? I will look for it.
If I see which one I'll let you know. You can google him and physiological sigh and it shows up I think.
Creative application of strategies! Nice Tim
Thanks, Kyle! I didn’t mention it in this article, but all of these tactics could be considered a means of making yourself more flexible, more resilient in the face of stress.
Agreed!
The “will this matter in two months”-method reminded me of a story how somebody overcame road rage: All he did was have a post it on his dashboard: “Is this situation worth it to have my blood boiling”?
I imagine simply reading this could bring me down instantly or bite the steering wheel, lol
It’s easy to get lost in the moment and how awfully terrible or important something is. So many times though, it will evaporate and take care of itself in only a few days
That is true,
it takes practice to react in a calm and controlled way, but definitely possible.