How to Survive: Stay Calm

You never know when you’re going to be fighting for your life. Like being stuck in a remote wilderness or having a natural disaster impact your home. In any case, we need to be prepared in order to save our lives and those that we love around us.

The first tip is not how to tie a cool knot or how to build your own canoe from scratch with your left arm tied behind your back. The main decider in a survival situation is your headspace. You must remain calm and not get agitated, overly anxious or panic because the brain shuts down and can’t make rational decisions.

This is true for everyday life, not just extreme scenarios, so it’s worth taking time out of your day to be mindful. Anytime you feel your heart rate increasing from nervousness, or you’re running late to work, listen to your body. Are you gripping the steering wheel? Are your shoulders shrugged? Holding your breath?

Once we grapple with our own body and mind, we can start to tackle the problems around us and help others. Remember the airplane safety briefing, “Should the cabin loose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others”. Again, oxygen is key to relaxing your nerves, clearing your mind, and focusing your intentions.

Have fun out there and be safe!

Photo: Wilson Szeto