How to Calm the Heck Down

The EVERYTHING Method

EVERYTHING
There are ten letters in this word: each one a step away from frustration and toward a lower resting heart rate.

Everybody is doing their best.
And everybody’s best constantly changes with the circumstances of life. Cut yourself (and everybody else) as much slack as possible.

Voices are often blunt and poorly-played instruments.
Listen for the information not expressed in words. You’ll hear the actual truth.

Engage only with what is important.
Don’t waste time with the tediously infuriating stuff—you’ll only neglect the stuff that matters.

 
Respond gently, if at all, to annoyances.  
If you give them a moment of two of silence, most stupid problems will resolve themselves

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You can’t solve every problem all at once.
Take large things on by tackling one small task at a time. Delegate or abandon problems that are not yours to fix

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Take a break if painfully overwhelmed.
This might mean a walk around the block. It might mean an early retirement. Be prepared to never come back to the source of your stress.

Hostility masks an unmet need.
Anger can often be dissolved with hugs, snacks, water, and naps. Just ask any chronological or emotional toddler

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Idiots gonna idiot.
Including you, sometimes. Learn to forgive stupidity automatically

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Nasties gonna nasty.
Including you, sometimes. Learn to step away from cruel intentions

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Get to a safe observation point.
Step outside of your own perspective to clearly see what’s truly happening. You’ll find the problem looks smaller from outside your own head

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