Stressed at work? Don't roll your eyes or cross your arms tightly

Unfortunately, bad news is everywhere. From the White House down to your own office, no one can escape it. And when life gets tough, while most of us would love to run, hide, shout or escape, none of that is the correct response . In the long run, it will make you feel worse than just facing the situation.

It maybe difficult to eradicate tough times from your life, but you can follow these tips to maintain composure while dealing with stressful situations.

This too shall pass
The first thing you need to realise is that the difficult time is just that — a short period. It is not your whole life and yes, while the repercussions may affect your life; these intense emotions that you are currently feeling will not last. Whether it’s a talking down from your boss or a meeting on how low the numbers are, don’t solely focus on what’s going on. Distract and calm yourself by thinking of what you’re going to do once you’re out of the room.

Prepare yourself
If you know you are in for a tough time, you need to prepare yourself — mentally and physically. Get enough sleep the night before so that you’re not short-tempered and can think clearly. Try to avoid drinking too much caffeine so that you’re not highly strung. Making sure that your body and mind are in optimum condition can help you react evenly to bad news.

Take the high road
It’s easier said than done, but taking the high road in the face of adversity is one of the best things you can do. Not just for your career and social status but for your mental health as well. When you’re in the eye of a storm, creating another storm will only make the situation more tumultuous. Stay calm, accept criticism or opposition gracefully, hold back from lashing out and just take your time. The calmer you are, the more concise your thoughts will be. And you will be able to deliver a better counter argument when the time is right.

Watch your body language
While it’s all good to verbally be cool when you’re hot under the collar, there’s one thing that could be giving your nerves and frustration away: your own body. While it’s hard to force yourself to keep a pleasant face on when you’re in a bad situation, you need to make sure you’re not rolling your eyes, crossing your arms tightly or pacing up and down. Sit, be moderately still and keep the animated gestures for when you’re re-telling the story to your friends. And yes, we recommend you meet them — you’re going to need your support system after a tough day.