How to Appear Calm, Confident and
in Control in Any Situation
These techniques are included in this section because as
we t alked about in the previous chapters, confidence  and
likeability  go together. We are  attracted to, admire,  and tend
to like those whom we see as in control and secure in
themselves. (There's nothing less attractive than a person
who has a low opinion of himself.) And while this chapter won't
give you self-esteem, the techniques can make you appear
and actually feel more calm and confident. This will allow you
to get into an optimum state in any situation or conversation.
The first influence to consider is the physiological  aspect of
anxiety. When we're nervous about giving a speech or
meeting someone, for example, most of us don't eat or eat the
wrong things. Anytime we eat foods high in sugar or refined
carbohydrates our bodies produce ad ren alin e in a n att empt
to regulate our blood sugar levels. This is because these
foods lo wer our blood sugar leve ls and the body produ ces
adrenaline  to compensate for the fluctuation. Adrenaline,
which is the primary f actor in the f ight-or-flight response, is
what causes you to become anxious and nervous. This is why
people who eat a diet high in sugars and ref ined
carbohydrates often seem nervous and high-strung. This is a
psychological disorder that manifested from a poor diet.
Power Point
Recent studies show that those who suffer from obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and anxiety attacks may
find relief in a low-carbohydrate diet. By keeping blood sugar levels
steady, anxiety-based symptoms can be greatly alleviated.

Have you ever noticed t hat after a large meal you feel fairly
relaxed and calm? This is because your blood sugar level is
stable and the body is not producing high levels of
adrenaline to compensate for fluctuations. The ideal, though,
is to eat small nonrefined meals. This will keep your blood
sugar levels steady and your mind calm; you won't feel too
sluggish to think clearly. (There are count less nutritional
books that do a much better job on this subject than we can
in this short space. Any health food store with a book section
can give you full and complete information on nonrefined
foods.)
Another fascinating aspect to consider is that the very
things you do to appear  calm and relaxed can actually make
you feel more calm  and relaxed. So by engaging in certain
behaviours and avoiding others you can maintain a sense of
calm and inner balance.
By changing your physiology  you can actually change your
brain chemistry. For example, studies show that when we
smile we actually put ourselves into a better mood. It has long
be en thought  that we smile when we feel happy—which is of
course true. There is strong  evidence, h owe ver, that the act
itself can transform your emotional state and make you feel
happier.  Conversely, if you were to frown for a minute or so,
you would probably f eel worse. While our mood reflects our
physical state so too does our physical self  bring about a
change in our mood.  The most important, dominant factors
that affect mood and our emotional state are:
Smile. This is a universal sign that you are comfortable.
And again, according to several studies, the very act of
smiling calms you down and actually makes you feel more
relaxed.
Breathe! When we're nervous we tend to hold our
breath. Breathe deeply and regularly. This will calm you
down instantly and make it easier for you to think, react,
a nd speak clearly and confidently.

Power Point
Want to tell if anyone is nervous about anything? Look for these
two signs. If they're not smiling and breathing regularly and
deeply then they're not as calm as they would like you to be-
lieve! (You can tell if a person is not breathing regularly because
you'll notice every so often he takes a very deep breath to get
oxygen in very quickly.)

Research into this area also shows us something else
remarkable. That is, our emotions are not just in our mind
but actually in every cell, in every organ, and in every muscle
of our body. If you want to ensure long-term emotional
balance and calm, try yoga or some type of stretching routine.
Our muscles retain our emotions. Haven't you ever wondered
why you feel so good after you stretch out your body? The
psychological tensions are released along with the physical
stresses.
The central nervous system is made up of our brain and
spinal cord. It is impossible  to completely rela x the mind
unless you relax the spinal cord as well. Yoga helps to achieve
this. Notice how high-strung and nervous peop le carry
themselves. Th eir bod ies are often tense and stiff. Working
out the tensions in the physical body begins the  process of
releasing emotional stresses. In addition to smiling and
deep breathing, try this for short-term and long-term
success toward releasing negative emotions and relaxing
yourself within minutes, every time.
Strategy Review
Don't overlook the powerful physiological influence of
blood sugar levels. Avoid engaging the fight-or-flight response
by avoiding sugars and refined carbohydrates.
Smile! Research shows that the very act of smiling
actually makes you feel more relaxed and calm.
Breathe deeply. When we're nervous we tend to hold
our breath. Deep breathing instantly relaxes the central
nervous system and literally calms your nerves.
For long-term stress reduction practice yoga. The central
ne rvous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. It is
impossible to feel completely relaxed mentally unless your
body is at ease.

I certainly got some good information from the food part! I have eaten quite unhealthy this year & could explain some things, but that's something I'll be working on for sure next year.

Thanks, that was a great post!

A good post, although I wonder if it could be moved to a more relevant forum since it isn't very runic in nature.  Just a thought, and certainly not a high priority.

You are so right.  

During my first rune cast i was a nervise wreck.  I will have to try the things i picked up from reading your post.  Hopefully i can calm down and clear my mind

thank you very much

Don't be nervous.  I mean, we are all drawn to these mystical tools because they will enrich our lives.  My single piece of advice is to relax and trust the runes (or tarot or whatever) to do the work.  I suspect they will respond better because you have deposited your faith and trust in them.