Why Responding is Better Than Reacting: Strategies for Maintaining Calm and Control in Chaotic Times

Today, I see a lot of people in the world, who are simply reacting to what's happening around them and what's happening around them is chaos. Just pure chaos. Now, reacting to chaos creates more chaos. However, as we grow it's so important to respond rather than reacting. I would say responding means, just taking 2 or 3 seconds extra while responding, thus making sure that you maintain your calmness. Here are a few reasons why responding is better than reacting: 

1. Emotional Control : Whenever one person says something to the other person, let's say if someone just says something really negative to you or about you. It's very likely that you can get agitated, angry or even you might start crying. But that's an emotional response to what the person just said. If someone is able to manipulate you emotionally, it's very likely that the emotional response can give a negative thought to you. Basically, you give your control to the other person. 

2. Improved Communication: When you put emotions outside and communicate logically, you would be able to communicate much better. Let's say if someone spoke really angrily to you, now if you get emotional about that, it's very natural that you wouldn't be able to communicate your thought. However, if you understand without emotions of the other human being, you would be able to really understand what the other person is saying and you would be able to control your emotions. 

3. Thoughtful decision-making: Naturally, when one does not react to emotions, they can logically navigate through the problem, see different options, consider different options and then decide on what exactly should they go to and good decision making is required for a good life. 

4. Relationship Building: Let's be real here, no one wants to associate with someone who emotionally reacts to every situation there is. We all want people who are emotionally mature, but people who live a life through responding and not through reacting to everything that happens to them. The truth is no one in the world can control everything and with good thoughts, one would be able to build good relationships, not get super angry all the time, not be super moody, like the second point up, improved communication will reflect in your work life and your relationships. 

5. Maintaining Professionalism: Having an ability to respond and not react, means that you would be able to maintain the right level of professionalism at work. You would be able to reason out things much better, dive deeper much easily and also learn much faster. 

6. Conflict Resolution: We all know, whether we work, whether we are in a relationship, or whether we are playing a sport in a team or whether in a family, wherever there are multiple people in a team, it's natural that there are going to be conflicts, one might think A is better and the other might think B is better. But what's more important is to keep the team's goal in front and decide logically and respond with critical thinking, rather than just reacting to something. So when your respond you will also have a great ability to resolve conflicts purely based on understanding. 

7. Clarity and Understanding: When one understands and then responds to certain things, you would always have a better clarity and understanding. Let's say if someone asks you something, you don't really know the answer to it, so after a thought you can say that you don't really know the answer to this. This will help you understand what you don't know, clarify what you need to know and understand. So having a great amount of clarity and understanding is essential.

8. Setting a positive example: When you really respond to certain things and don't react to everything, you are setting a very good example for others. Just through your thorough thinking, it's clear that people would be able to trust you and look up to you in times of trouble. So be that person, who can help people and guide people through the chaos. 

9. Avoiding regret: When you respond, rather than reacting, you give yourself time to think about the decisions you make. This makes sure that you don't say or do something that you might regret later on. So yeah avoiding regret is one of the key points. 

Now the question is, what should we really practice inorder to make sure we respond and do not react to situations? 

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Firstly, in order to react on anything, someone needs to say something that's triggering. Whenever such a situation happens, make sure you set clear boundaries on what's not okay with you. This will not only avoid an emotional response from you but also make sure that the other person respects your boundaries. 

2. Practice mindfulness: Put simply, mindfulness is all about staying in the present. There are various things that improve mindfulness, whether that's playing a sport, learning a new language, gardening or doing anything that you enjoy. For me writing is something that brings my mind back to the present. 

3. Pause and breathe: Sometimes you are put in a situation that just makes you to respond right away. During such a time, just pause, count to 10 and breathe in and out 10 times. You don't need to do any type of deep breathing but just make sure that when you breathe naturally, keep a count of it. This will allow you to be in present and respond assertively to the situation. 

4. Scenario planning: Beforehand, think about what all possible scenarios can really happen when you do an X action. Make sure you have an appropriate response to all of them, and once done, go ahead and execute your plan. 

5. Regular Meditation : Doing regular meditation also helps you to stay calm under pressure. Meditation is again focusing on your breathe and breathing naturally. Maybe doing a 20 minutes of meditation is also very good. 

Try these things and see what works the best for you. Hope you have a wonderful day.