How To Stay Calm When Chaos Erupts On The Farm

Let’s be real. Living in the country life will throw some pretty stressful situations your way. Animals get badly hurt. People have major accidents. It’s in those times of stress that we have to know how to stay calm and deal with the difficult situation at hand. 

Sure you may want to scream, or run away and cry. But for the other person’s sake or even the animal’s sake, you have to be the one to handle the situation even as your stress levels rise. 

Everyone has a different stress response. Some people can’t handle the gorry things.

HOWEVER, I don’t want you to use it as a cop-out and pass the torch just because you know (or are married to) someone who can handle something better than you. 

I promise they don’t want to do it any more than you.

I want to share some coping strategies and ways to pull yourself together. There are some simple ways to stay calm when chaos erupts in your life. Having a settled mind and looking at things from a less frazzled state can truly help you to make clear-headed decisions.

Keep these in mind these can help you when life just gets too busy and you are on the verge of a meltdown. Or when you just need a moment to relax.

Try these the next time life gets turned upside down.

How To Stay Calm When You Need To React NOW

There is short-term chaos like when someone or something gets hurt. Or it is not as long-lasting. 

Count to Ten

It may sound too good to be true, but this strategy really works. Just count slowly from one to ten. (OR three if this is a drastic situation)

Try to breathe deeply as you do, as this will enhance the effects. This little trick can help you to quickly gain control of your emotions and feel calmer in a pinch.

Close Your Eyes

Yep. Shutting your eyes for a moment blocks out a great deal of the stimuli that are currently vying for your attention. This brief period of visual stillness will allow you to gather your thoughts and calm yourself.

When your eyes open you should be able to focus solely on the problem at hand and deal with the high-stress situation.

Talk To Yourself

Depending on the situation talk to yourself inside your mind. You don’t have to talk out loud. 

Say things like “you’re ok, you can do this.” Or “remember what you did here? It’s no different.”

If you are trying to help someone or some critter that is banged up talk to them to keep them calm. It will help take your mind off of what is happening.

How To Stay Calm When Life In General Is Stressful

These are tips for when you have more time and you can get off by yourself to get the stress under control. Things like busy schedules, people who simply drive you crazy, or a stressful situation that you really can’t get rid of. You just have to handle it as best you can and get through it.

Move Your Body

Exercise is a fantastic way to get your blood flowing and your heartbeat racing. You’ll also amp up the productions of endorphins in your body, providing you with extra energy to attack your issues.

You don’t have to do a full-blown exercise to benefit, though. Taking a leisurely stroll might actually be best during times when you need to chill out. This relaxing activity gets you moving, literally. It can remove you from a stressful environment and give you a fresh perspective.

I love to go on a walk to think things through. Being in nature have having the space to talk to God and just be instinctual about solutions to my troubles will really help put me in a positive attitude. 

Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation

An effective strategy for releasing stress from your body without having to exercise, or even move out of your chair, is progressive muscle relaxation. This practice involves tensing and releasing the stress from every muscle group in your body. You can start with your head and work your way downward. Tense up the muscles in your face, hold for a few seconds and then release. This exercise can be completed in just a few minutes, and you’ll feel tons better when it’s over.

Listen to Some Music

A soothing tune can be relaxing. Upbeat music can add energy when you need a boost. Perhaps something with meaningful lyrics might improve your mood. Hillsong United is one of my favorites. 

Music is healing to the soul and has gotten me through some of the worst times in my life. 

Songs like Symphony by Switch or Highlands from Hillsong United are great songs if your heart is feeling heavy.

Whatever you choose, music can have a profound effect on your feelings and is a good option to rely on when you want to calm down or feel better.

Take a Bath Or How Shower

Lying in a bath of warm water can be quite soothing to the soul for many. (Personally, baths get cool too quick.) We have a hot tub so this is the route I go if needed. Otherwise, I will just get a shower.

It slows the stress hormone levels and will be a huge help to your mental health during a stressful season.

It’s relaxing and can actually seem to transport you to another place. This is especially true when you add bubbles and a nice scent. Aromatherapy will add yet another layer to this calming routine.

These are just a handful of ways to lower your blood pressure when you’re stressed out. Choose the ones that resonate with you, and give them a try the next time you feel overwhelmed or when life is chaotic.