Calm, Connect, Act: A Recipe for Resilience

Life hands out stress and problems. And not just the geopolitical shenanigans but your own life as well. How can you avoid getting overwhelmed?

People often think that human beings are apex predators, so why don’t I feel on top of things? Granted, we are pretty brainy, but our nervous system is based on being a prey animal surrounded by faster, stronger animals with big teeth and claws. Being in a group helps. Knowing where the lion is helps. Running up a tree or picking up a stick helps. But in today’s anxiety-provoking world, we have to sit in a fear system that’s stuck in the ‘on’ position.

The trifecta that hijacks our system and turns our mental health sideways is being afraid, alone, and paralyzed. But that points us toward a remedy. When your anxiety is high, overwhelmed or you feel stuck, choose any of the following in any order: Calm, Connect, Act.

CALM. A few deep breaths, making sure your exhale is long. Or close your eyes and imagine something pleasant. Or focus hard on something else – like the colors in the room.

CONNECT. Text or call someone you trust or sit with a pet. Make a plan to see someone later. And be authentic about your wish to reduce your anxiety. Remember, choose a trustworthy person and know that if you are authentic, you give the other person permission to be authentic too. 

ACT. Move. Anything. Take a walk, make lunch, water a plant, lift a weight, bake bread. 

Once you have done any or all of these things, you have a good chance to work on other matters, like understanding your triggers to anxiety and how you can talk yourself down.

Remember, Fellow Primate, you’re ok and you have the power to build your resilience for all the things life hands you.