7 things exceptionally calm people always do (but never talk about)

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to always remain calm, no matter what life throws at them? 

If you have, I bet you’ve also wondered what their secret is, or perhaps questioned why you can’t seem to maintain the same level of tranquility.

Personally, I used to marvel at these individuals, silently questioning how they dealt with the chaos of life with such unruffled ease.

Could it be that they know something we don’t?

Or perhaps they’re simply practicing habits that have become second nature to them, so much so that they don’t even realize they’re doing something extraordinary.

Well, it’s time to shed some light on this mystery. Let’s delve into the 7 habits exceptionally calm people consistently practice – the ones they never really talk about.

1) Embrace the power of the present moment

One of the secrets that calm people almost instinctively understand is the power of living in the present moment.

This doesn’t mean they don’t plan for the future or learn from the past. 

The thing is that they have mastered the art of focusing their attention on the here and now.

Being present enables them to fully engage with their environment and respond to situations with clarity and thoughtfulness, rather than being dictated by past regrets or future anxieties.

You see, when we’re constantly preoccupied with what was or what could be, we’re more likely to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

But when we anchor ourselves in the present, we can approach each situation with a clear and calm mind.

This is a skill that can be developed through practice.

It might involve mindfulness exercises, meditation, or simply taking a few moments each day to quietly observe your surroundings.

The point is not to eliminate thoughts about the past or future, but to cultivate an ability to return your focus to the present when you choose to.

2) Not to let emotions control the actions

This is something I’ve personally experienced.

I used to be someone who reacted impulsively to emotions. If something upset me, everyone around me would know it.

I used to think that this was just part of who I was, that I was simply a passionate person.

But then I started observing these exceptionally calm individuals and realized something significant:

They also experience strong emotions just like the rest of us, but they don’t let these emotions dictate their actions or reactions.

Once I was working on a project that went completely off the rails. Deadlines were missed, expectations weren’t met, and the stress levels were through the roof.

In the heat of the moment, my natural instinct was to react with frustration and panic.

Luckily, I remembered an instance when a calm colleague of mine faced a similar situation.

Instead of panicking or getting angry, she took a deep breath, acknowledged the issues at hand, and calmly started working on solutions. Her composure during that crisis was incredibly inspiring.

So, guess what?

I decided to do the same with my project. I took a step back, calmed myself down, and instead of reacting rashly, I started thinking about possible solutions.

The result? Not only did we manage to get the project back on track, but I also learned a valuable lesson about emotional control.

Your takeaway here is that calm people understand that while they can’t always control what happens to them, they can control how they respond.

3) Having a healthy relationship with failure

Exceptionally calm people seem to have a different perspective on failure.

Instead of viewing it as something to be feared or avoided, they see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Let’s face it: it’s easy to get flustered or anxious when things don’t go as planned, especially when failure is involved.

However, calm people understand that failure is a natural part of life and that it can often lead to unexpected opportunities.

I’ve seen this perspective in action in many successful people I admire.

These people analyze failures, learn from them, and use them as stepping stones to success

Of course, this doesn’t mean they enjoy failing.

No one does.

The truth is that they don’t let the fear of failure paralyze them or prevent them from taking risks.

And for this, they accept that failure is a possibility in any endeavor and prepare for it, but they don’t let it deter them from pursuing their goals.

pic1527 7 things exceptionally calm people always do (but never talk about)

4) Relaxation and self-care

I have you can think of a time when you got caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

It’s just an integral part of our fast-paced world, right?

Interestingly, calm people know how to deal with that as well. 

Believe it or not, their strategy is as simple as understanding of the importance of relaxation and self-care.

Here’s how it works:

Despite their busy schedules, they make it a point to carve out time for activities that help them relax and recharge.

It could be anything from reading a book, taking a walk in nature, practicing yoga, or simply enjoying some quiet time alone.

Did you know that taking regular breaks can actually boost productivity and creativity?

Well, studies show that walking increases creative output by an average of 60%.

By prioritizing time for relaxation and self-care, calm people ensure that they have the mental and physical energy to handle life’s challenges efficiently.

They understand that in order to take care of others and fulfill their responsibilities, they first need to take care of themselves.

5) Actively practice gratitude

Practicing gratitude is another habit that exceptionally calm people seem to have in common.

It’s something that I’ve noticed time and again — a habit that I’ve made an effort to incorporate into my own life.

A few years ago, I went through a particularly challenging period. It felt like everything that could go wrong was going wrong.

During this time, I couldn’t help but notice a friend of mine who always seemed to remain calm and composed, despite facing their own set of challenges.

One day, during a casual conversation, they mentioned how they had started practicing gratitude every morning.

They would wake up, grab their journal, and write down three things they were grateful for. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

I have to admit — the first few days were hard. I found it difficult to think of things to be grateful for when it felt like my world was crashing down around me. B

ut as the days turned into weeks, I started to notice a shift in my mindset.

Even on the toughest days, I could still find things to appreciate – a hot cup of coffee, a warm bed, a call from a loved one.

This simple act of acknowledging the good in my life helped me remain calm in the face of adversity.

6) Setting boundaries and saying ‘no’

This was a tough one for me. I used to find it incredibly challenging to say ‘no’, especially to the people I cared about.

I thought that by always saying ‘yes’, I was being helpful and considerate.

In reality?

I was just overextending myself and neglecting my own needs.

Calm people, however, understand the importance of setting boundaries. They recognize that they can’t do everything for everyone all the time.

Most importantly, they understand that saying ‘no’ is not a sign of weakness or selfishness, but a necessary step in maintaining their own mental and physical well-being.

Learning to set boundaries and say ‘no’ was a game-changer for me.

It wasn’t easy, but it made a significant difference in my stress levels and overall sense of calm.

Still, you need to remind yourself that setting boundaries is not about distancing oneself from others.

It’s about recognizing our own limits and ensuring we don’t push ourselves beyond them at the cost of our well-being.

7) Cultivating a positive mindset

Finally, the most important thing that separates calm people from the rest of us is that they understand the power of a positive mindset.

In simple terms, they know that life will throw curveballs, that plans will go awry, and challenges will pop up when least expected.

But you know what?

They also know that their attitude towards these situations can make all the difference.

A positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring the realities of life or pretending that everything is perfect.

It means you can choose to focus on the potential in every situation, learn from challenges, and keep moving forward, even when things get tough.

So, what’s the key to developing a positive mindset?

Two words: conscious effort.

Trust me, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal. It helps us remain calm amidst chaos, find solutions in the face of problems, and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity.

Wrapping up

Now, it’s clear that these 7 habits are more than just practices – they’re a way of life. Hopefully, you’ll use these insights as profound tools for transforming your life.

Each habit invites us to look inward, reassess our priorities, and align our actions with our deepest values.

By adopting even one of these habits, you can begin a journey towards not just calmness, but also greater fulfillment and resilience.

As a final takeaway, remember that it’s not about perfection, but progression. Every step towards these practices is a step towards a more balanced, poised, and enriched life.

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Picture of Tina Fey

Tina Fey

I've ridden the rails, gone off track and lost my train of thought. I'm writing for Ideapod to try and find it again. Hope you enjoy the journey with me.

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