If you saw the photo above, just know this: it was a costume moment.
Fun, yes… but definitely not my day-to-day vibe. I’m actually a lot more low-key and reserved most of the time.
But I decided to include it here anyway because it makes a point: even people who look put together or calm on the outside can feel pretty “activated” on the inside. And that’s been me for a long time — always moving, always thinking, always doing.
Slowing down hasn’t ever come naturally. But over the past few years, I’ve learned some small ways to flip my “calm switch” that actually help me feel grounded, steady, and more like myself.
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Why This Even Matters
I didn’t realize how much being constantly “on” was affecting everything —
my cravings, my energy, my mood, my patience, and even how I showed up for the people I love.
When my body is stressed, it shifts into a kind of survival mode. Suddenly:
• I’m hungrier
• I’m more reactive
• I’m drained
• And I make choices from overwhelm instead of clarity
So learning to calm my system isn’t about becoming a peaceful monk — it’s about giving myself a better chance to make decisions I’m proud of, think more clearly, and feel more steady day to day.
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My Personal Calm Hacks
I used to do 20 minutes of sit-down meditation twice a day, so slowing down isn’t completely foreign to me. But real life doesn’t always hand out long, quiet windows — especially with kids, work, and everything else. I realized I needed tiny things I could reach for in the middle of the day… the kind of calm that fits into actual life, not just the perfectly carved-out moments.
So I found a few simple things that actually work for me.
• Breath Breaks With a Twist
Nothing fancy — just a 60-second pause.
Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4.
It’s quick, doable, and it really does bring my shoulders down an inch.
• Micro-Moments of Calm
I stopped trying to overhaul my whole routine.
Instead:
• a 30-second stretch while the coffee brews
• one deep breath outside
• unclench my jaw
Small, ordinary moments. Big difference.
• Evening Wind-Down, My Way
Instead of a strict routine, I just turn off screens about 30 minutes before bed and read a little fiction. Something light, fun, or comforting — basically, whatever helps my brain stop doing its 47 tabs-at-once routine.
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Wrapping It Up
If you’re wired like me — thoughtful, busy, and maybe a little tightly wound inside even if you look calm outside — these little shifts might help you too.
We don’t need to become new people.
We just need a few simple ways to flip the calm switch when our bodies need it.
And if the photo above gave you a laugh… then that’s a little nervous system regulation in itself.
Jenniferoney.com 