How can we stop worrying about everything and anything? All too often, we get upset at the slightest piece of bad news, the slightest setback. So how can we learn to put things into perspective and become happier and more Zen? Here are 3 simple steps to help you calm down.

1 – Apply the 5-5 rule to learn to put things in perspective

This first exercise is perhaps the most powerful, because it’s the easiest. It involves asking yourself just one question, and here it is: “Will what I’m worrying about still matter in 5 years’ time?”

And if the answer is no, and it will be in 99.9% of cases, then it’s not worth dwelling on for more than 5 minutes.

In other words, the 5-5 rule is: if my problem has no impact in the next 5 years, then I don’t give it any importance for more than 5 minutes.

2 – Take inspiration from a role model

Who is the person, real or fictional, who inspires you most for their calm and wisdom? Take some time to think. Look not only at well-known personalities, but also at characters from films, books or cartoons that you may have loved throughout your life.

Does a name come to mind? Then, to learn how to put things into perspective, imagine what this person would do or think in your place when you start to worry or feel anxious?

What would they do to manage their emotions, to calm them down?

Better still, ask yourself what habits this person, who inspires you, uses to cultivate inner calm day after day? Then put those same habits into practice.

Because, yes, learning to relativize isn’t just about having exercises to use in an emergency, it’s also about setting up good daily habits to cultivate serenity. What do you think?

3 – Have a friendly conversation to learn to relativize

We can’t relativize certain problems, certain bad news, because we don’t have the inner dialogue that allows us to do so.

We criticize ourselves, we scare ourselves.

And yet, when one of our friends has a problem and is very distressed, what do we do? We help them put things into perspective.

That’s why, to learn to put things in perspective, we need to have a friendly conversation with ourselves.

It’s very simple. When you feel worry or anxiety, breathe and visualize this scene. Imagine a friend who feels the same way as you and is in the same situation as you. Imagine what you would say to help them put things into perspective.

Write these words on a piece of paper. Then reread them for yourself. You’ll see, it’ll do you a world of good.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to calm your stress? Live a more peaceful life
Discover Fear of failure: 10 tips for a serene start to your projects

In addition, I recommend this inspiring book on the subject:

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear into Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein

This book contains insights on how to find direction and perspective through a spiritually-based approach to life’s challenges.
I bought this book because it was recommended to me by a close friend. I was tired of feeling stuck in negativity, anxiety and lack of self-love. It’s an amazing read. This book has changed my perspective on everything. My own journey has only just begun, but I’m very proud of what reading this book has helped me achieve over the past few weeks. If you have reservations about buying this book, don’t! You won’t regret it.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself.