Five Practices for Maintaining Calm Under Stress

Under increased stress, individuals often revert to familiar patterns of behavior. A normally attentive leader might become controlling, or a collaborative team member might withdraw. These ingrained habits can re-emerge unconsciously, even when they are no longer beneficial.

Developing a strong organizational culture can feel fragile during stressful periods, despite months of work building trust and healthy norms. Stress does not erase growth; instead, it often reveals areas needing deeper practice and support. Fast Company outlines five practices to help individuals and teams avoid reverting to old behaviors when faced with adversity.

The first practice is to objectively name one's feelings. Instead of thinking "everything is falling apart," one might observe, "I notice I am becoming defensive." This objective naming creates a crucial space between stimulus and reaction, enabling better choices and aiding others in understanding the situation.

Regulating one's nervous system is another key practice. When the nervous system perceives threats, it can trigger fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. Implementing regulation techniques such as slow breathing, taking pauses, or ensuring adequate sleep can help individuals recover and prevent stress from spreading within a team.

Third, focus on your sphere of control. Shifting attention from uncontrollable external factors to one's own immediate tasks and actions can restore a sense of agency. Fourth, reconnect to something larger than yourself, such as purpose or values, to maintain perspective. Finally, stay connected with supportive individuals who can help identify regressions to old patterns sooner and reinforce these practices.