Hello again dear reader,
in a previous blog, we discussed how to use the ancient art of killing someone with kindness. For today's article, I thought we would discuss a topic in the same vein. Today we are going to discuss the art of calming someone down. I'm sure at some point, dear reader, you have found yourself in a situation in which a person you are interacting with loses their temper and gets angry (and maybe, in some cases, violent.) You dear reader, may feel the need to calm them down so that the situation does not escalate, and cause even more problems for either yourself or the surrounding community. Unfortunately, dear reader, there is no such thing as a magic pill, to calm someone down. However, there are steps you can take to help someone who is experiencing a moment of anger calm down without escalating the situation and worsening it.
Today, dear reader, we are going to discuss six rules, that you can use, when trying to help someone calm down when they are experiencing a moment of anger. So hopefully, by the end of today's article; dear reader, you will have a more profound understanding of the anger process and how to you help someone process and deal with their anger and calm down in an effective and useful manner. So that you, dear reader, can help diffuse a negative situation so that you can keep calm and help everyone carry on.
Have you ever been in a situation where someone is acting angry or hysterical? Maybe a customer got upset because their order wasn't exactly how they wanted it, or a friend is freaking out because they lost their job. These situations can be uncomfortable and catch us off guard. You might want to help calm them down, but you're not certain how to do it.
6 Rules for Calming Someone Down
Here are six rules that can help you calm someone down:
Rule #1: Don't Follow Your Instincts
When someone is upset, it's natural to feel upset too. But if you want to calm them down, you can't let their emotions spread to you. You have to stay cool and collected. Don't let your emotions get in the way of helping them calm down.
Rule #2: Don't Tell the Person to “Calm Down!”
Telling someone to calm down can actually make them more upset. It's like a red flag for a bull. Instead, try to show empathy and understanding.
Rule #3: Keep Some Space Between You and the Person
When someone is upset, they might feel threatened or uncomfortable if you get too close to them. It's important to put some space between you and the person to help reduce their agitation and protect your safety.
Rule #4: Don't Mirror the Angry or Upset Person
Mirroring someone's behavior can actually make their emotions worse. Instead, try to stay calm and speak slowly. You want to be a calming influence on the other person.
Rule #5: Show Empathy
When someone is upset, they would like to feel understood. Try to show empathy by asking open-ended questions and letting them know you understand how they feel.
Rule #6: Take a Timeout and Suggest Going for a Walk
Taking a walk together can help defuse the situation and give the person a chance to calm down. But make sure it's safe to do so and don't order them to do it.
Conclusion
To help someone calm down, it's essential to stay calm yourself, avoid making their emotions worse, and show empathy and understanding. Remember that their emotions will likely pass quickly, and you just need to weather the storm with equanimity.
As always, dear reader, thank you for the gift of your valuable time. If you like what you're reading in my blogs, please feel free to share them with whomever you deem worthy.
Editor's note: I am not a trained and licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. The advice laid out in this document is for educational and research purposes only. It is advice that was taken from my research, entry-level college courses, and life experience, If you choose to use any of the advice or information contained within this document, please take it with a grain of salt.
Being with an agitated or angry person can escalate into an unwanted confrontation. Counting to ten sounds like a cliche, but it helps me stay calm and lets me focus on exactly what is bothering the angry person. Your six tips are intuitive and helpful. Thanks for the advice.
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