No matter who you’re dealing with – whether a difficult colleague, client, or loved one suffering from dementia – staying calm and engaged is paramount. But how do you keep a stressful conversation from getting out of hand?
That is why it is essential to demonstrate your emotional maturity. Here are a few ways you can do that:
1. Stay Calm
When you are stressed or feeling angry, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These can make it difficult to think clearly, cause your heart rate to go up, and constrict blood vessels.
Although you cannot control your anger, you can control how you respond. By staying composed and remaining calm during times of difficult communication with another individual, both of you will benefit.
One way to relax is taking a deep breath and speaking slowly. Doing this helps keep your breathing controlled and heart rate normal, enabling you to think more clearly.
Avoid saying anything that might trigger or make the other person uncomfortable. Nonverbal cues can also be used to demonstrate calmness and readiness to continue the conversation.
Once the conversation has been initiated, you can redirect it towards something less distressing and more constructive. For instance, ask them to explain their initial thought process or inquire about their experiences with this situation.
Once the conversation has shifted to another subject, you can begin to relax. Doing so will make both of you more at ease and enable them to speak more freely with you.
You may need to repeat certain details several times before the other person understands them. This could be because they might not be processing the information immediately or need time to process it more deeply.
Maintaining a level head is essential for success both at work and home. Not only will it strengthen relationships with others, but it can also reduce stress and anxiety levels in the workplace, creating a more conducive atmosphere overall.
It’s essential to remember that those around you will likely notice and appreciate your calm demeanor. In turn, this could lead to more positive attention from them in return.
2. Redirect the Conversation
Have you ever experienced a conversation that left you feeling misunderstood and like the person on the other end doesn’t understand what you’re saying? One way to demonstrate emotional maturity is by redirecting the conversation so it does not continue to escalate out of control.
A straightforward “I understand what you’re saying, but let’s pause for a minute” or similar phrase usually suffices in providing the necessary clarification without sounding condescending.
Redirecting the conversation can also be as easy as starting a new dialogue about something your loved one may be interested in, like their latest promotion or new car. This is especially crucial for those suffering from dementia who often struggle to express themselves clearly.
A successful redirection can bring happiness and understanding to the person on the other end of the conversation, especially for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, who often struggle with feelings of unworthiness and resentment.
With the right tools and strategies, you can transform a stressful or even potentially hazardous situation into an enjoyable experience for all involved.
3. Let Go of the Need to Be Right
Maintaining composure during heated conversations can be challenging. Whether at work, home, or driving your kids to school, there are times when it’s best to let go of the need to be right and focus on what matters most.
One of the most common ways to escalate a conversation is by trying to prove your point. This can be a common mistake when people are feeling angry, but it also has potentially negative outcomes.
Demonstrating that you are emotionally mature requires being calm and respectful during difficult conversations with your spouse or children. Doing this allows for taking cues from the other person without being rude or overly assertive, which in turn helps them feel less irritated and more comfortable expressing their feelings.
Another helpful technique is to redirect the conversation. A great way to do this is by starting to discuss something both of you have an interest in. This could include getting a raise at work, getting a new vehicle for the driveway, or planning an exciting vacation that you both want to experience together.
You can even use a calming exercise to help you remember what the other person is saying so that you can speak more effectively. Making a plan for how to handle future confrontations is invaluable in ensuring your loved one leads a safe and contented life. Moreover, having an emergency backup strategy in place ensures you will still be there when they require assistance.
4. Be Patient
Patience is an invaluable skill that can be beneficial in many circumstances. Patience requires you to let go of your need to be right and instead look at things from a more positive light. Although practicing patience may be difficult when under duress, it’s essential for maintaining mental sanity and being more productive overall.
In our fast-paced society, patience may seem like a lost art. Yet there are some things in life which cannot be expedited.
One common example is waiting for a video to load on your phone. Studies have revealed that people accustomed to faster internet speeds tend to quickly abandon videos that take too long to load.
This could be due to several reasons, such as not wanting to wait or worrying about their phone running out of battery. On the other hand, those who possess patience often stick with it longer.
Showing patience can also be done by relaxing and redirecting the conversation back on track. Doing this helps both of you refocus the discussion back onto its original topic.
Finally, you can demonstrate emotional maturity by managing the conversation to prevent it from getting out of hand. Doing this may prevent a confrontation from becoming an emotional outburst and potentially worsening the dynamic between you two.
“I understand what you’re saying, but let’s refocus for a minute,” is an effective way to de-escalate and redirect the conversation back on track. Additionally, it serves as a gentle reminder to those on the other end that they remain in control of the conversation and aren’t being pressured into anything.
The phrase, “I can’t wait until the internet is fixed,” can be an effective way to shift a conversation away from an angry tone and towards one of calm and assurance. This tactful statement may sound more authoritative than simply saying “be patient,” making it ideal for when you need someone else to remain composed in public.
