Self-Esteem - Understanding Yourself - Self-Awareness - Peel Public Health

Cool Down Strategies... Also known as: Coping with Life Strategies.

You just won the lottery!

You'd probably think:
It would be wiser for me to wait for the excitement to settle before I make major financial decisions.
Now, think about times when you feel angry or sad or scared.
What helps you through those times? What helps turn a bad mood back into a good one? What helps you to feel at peace inside?
These are your cool down strategies. Do they work well for you? Do any of them have the potential to get you into bigger trouble? ... yelling , swearing, driving aggressively or too fast, overspending, overeating or skipping meals, using cigarettes, alcohol or drugs.
Are you ready to expand your list of cool down strategies to include more of those that will boost your confidence and your self-esteem?

Take 4-5 slow, deep breaths - gets more oxygen up to the brain
Count to 10 - distracts you, buys you some time
Physical activity - walk, run, dance, whatever works for you. Activity discharges the stress response and releases endorphins, your body's natural mood elevators and pain relievers.
Laugh - look for the lighter side of the situation. Laughter will release your endorphins too.
Use relaxation techniques - deep breathing, music, candles, visualization
Distract yourself with a hobby or favourite pastime
Write in a journal
Read a book or listen to a tape
Take a warm bath or have a cup of tea
Take time for solitude, reflection or meditation
Play with a child
Play with a pet
Talk over the situation with someone who's a good listener - "venting" works for some to regain perspective; for others, re-living the scene results in even more intense anger.
Plan ahead - minimizing factors such as fatigue and hunger decreases everybody's stress
Use positive self talk
Use assertive communication: "I" messages - "I need time to think about this..."
Other possibilities

Cool down strategies can be used to release emotions or to provide a valuable time out from the intensity of the moment.
They do not solve the problem at hand, if there is one, but they do help clear the mind to make good choices.
Sometimes, time and circumstances do not permit removing yourself from a tense situation. With practice, it becomes easier to take a few deep breaths, use positive self-talk such as I can handle this, to navigate difficult times. Later, a little physical activity and a period of relaxation will restore energy and calm.