Whether it’s hot outside or you are feeling hot on the inside, the ten little tips below will help you keep your cool. It’s hot outside and I’m not just talking about the weather. From the temperature to comments on the internet, relationship mistakes to breaking news (and everything in between), it makes sense that we all feel a little (or a lot) heated from time to time. Once you decide to keep your cool more than you lose your sh*t, you’ll feel more at peace and navigate day to day life with more ease.

10 Little Tips To Help You Keep Your Cool

Popsicles, mini-breaks throughout the day and a good fan will all help to keep you cool but when it’s time to keep your cool, try these tips. They might not work every time, but as you put them into practice they will become more effective. Simplifying your life allows you to create space needed to enjoy your life and self-regulation contributes to that.

1. Press pause on your reaction.

An immediate reaction is more like to turn into an overreaction. Instead, when you feel like you are heating up, set a timer for ten minutes or even longer if possible before reacting. Wait until your reaction feels more like a thoughtful response. Most of the things we are responding to are not an emergency and our immediate reaction isn’t going to change much. Give it some time, drink a glass of water, have a snack and then consider your response. It’s possible at that point, your response is no response. You may decide to keep your cool and save your energy for something that matters more.

2. Choose to be unbothered.

When you don’t keep your cool, you don’t keep your peace either. Being upset and frustrated takes a lot of energy. Before you fall into a frustration spiral that turns into stress and anxiety, check in. Ask yourself what’s really bothering you. Then make a list of potential solutions, people who can help and what you might be able to do in order to calm the waters.

When you feel frustrated or disappointed, could you find some relief in accepting the reality of the situation and moving on? This “check-in” will require a pause and a look at what you are contributing to any situation. As Byron Katie says, “It’s not the problem that causes our suffering; it’s our thinking about the problem.” When you can’t be unbothered, here’s how to quit the chaos.

3. Choose to be unreachable.

Maybe you can’t escape to a deserted island right now to create some space for yourself but you can turn your phone off or turn on one of the many do not disturb features for a little while each day. You can even make exceptions in your settings for some people to still get through if you want. It’s probably better for everyone if you are unreachable when you don’t want to add to the conversation or receive feedback for a bit. I use do not disturb when I need to focus on a writing project or when I don’t feel like talking or texting and in the early evening to protect my sleep.

4. Keep your cool by turning down the heat.

You can’t control the sun or the weather but you do have some control over other things that make your blood boil. I keep all news notifications off and I don’t watch news videos. Reading comments on political posts or articles is a no go for me. Actually reading comments on most things isn’t my cup of tea. Make your own turn down the heat rules by identifying what really heats you up and limit what you can. Not everything is in your control but somethings are.

5. Be in nature.

Outdoor plants and trees inspired my indoor greenery. When I want to slow my mind, let go of a long day, or seek more joy in my life, I step into the forest. Getting my feet on the trail, and letting the green of the trees and warmth of the sunlight wash over me, works every time. I always come off more rested than when I stepped on. In Japan, they have a phrase Shinrin-Yoku. It means “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere”.

From an actual walk in the woods, to taking care of a plant, nature helps us to boost our moods. If you can’t easily escape into the forest or climb a mountain, go to a local park or somewhere there are trees. Create the forest atmosphere indoors by adding plants to your living space.

6. Get lost in a good book.

Read one of my books or listen to the audio versions. Choose a book genre you normally avoid. I typically read novels, thrillers and some non-fiction but recently started listening to this book. It’s so foreign to me (literally other-worldly) that I can’t focus on things that are riling me up and the book, so I only focus on the book. Often, after listening, I forget what was so annoying to begin with. Here are all the books I read last year if you are looking for something good!

7. Release your pain.

Even when you don’t react or get too heated, you still have to feel your feelings and you may continue to hold on to your pain. Sometimes we hurt ourselves trying to address our pain. We try to numb it with things that feel good at first and bad later. Instead of numbing your pain, think of ways to release it in a healthy way. I recommend writing it down. Without editing your feelings or your words, let it all out on paper.

You could also try shifting your mood and releasing your pain with your body. From unclenching your jaw to laying down with your legs up against a wall, you may find some relief. Our bodies and minds are deeply connected and each affects the other in ways we are still discovering. Somatic therapy may be something to consider if you want to explore this connection further.

8. Try a reset to cool down.

Carving out time for a reset can simplify your entire week. When we don’t take time to reset our homes and other areas of our lives, things build up, weigh us down and hold us back. A reset can help calm our living areas, our calendars and our minds. It may seem impossible to take the time when life is unusually busy or stressful but that’s often when it makes the biggest difference. Try these suggestions for your reset.

9. Calm the heat with water.

I’m always surprised and relieved that water is usually the answer when I need to cool down. Drink a big glass of ice water, take a bath or shower. Jump in a lake or the ocean or a pool. Splash water on your face or run cool water over your wrists. Here are some other ways to cool down fast in the summer heat. Being overheated is just as bad as being tired or hungry in terms of how you might react to something. Sometimes you have to literally keep your cool.

10. Lighten up your life.

To make it easier to carry the heavier things in life, and to keep your cool, lighten up your life by letting go of things. Put down these heavy things, declutter and let go of these 67 things and keep a small box or bag by your door where you can easily add things from your home that are just clutter. To lighten up my life, I let go of clutter, debt, diet culture, busyness, stress and more. I’m still letting go. If you want to feel light, you have to let go.