The Calm Coach

Author: Sarah Jane Arnold

The common understanding of feeling calm is that it involves a sense of tranquility; the presence of comfortable emotions, and the absence (or non-response to) disturbing emotions. It is a beautiful personal state, a nature triggered by our perception of internal and external experiences, shaped by our thoughts, emotions, bodies (our physiological state), and behaviors. The feeling of calm is associated with feelings of peace and serenity—free from turmoil or disturbance. When we feel calm, we do not dwell on worrying thoughts about the future, overthink the past, or strive for more in the current time and place. Feeling calm means living fully in the present moment without reaction, judgment, or sensation, and this feeling gives the mind and body the much-needed rest from the pressures of daily life in our modern world. When we feel calm, this feeling is linked to the parasympathetic nervous system: a part of our body's autonomic nervous system, which regulates automatic and unconscious physical functions. The parasympathetic (calm) nervous system enables us to rest, digest food, recover, relax, and calm stress-generating responses, and it also positively affects our thoughts and increases feelings of joy and love. Many reliable studies have shown that frequent feelings of calmness and physical relaxation are associated with psychological comfort and good physical health. So, it is easy to see why feelings of calmness are considered gentle and desirable by many people.