How to Stop Overreacting: The Power of Staying Calm Under Pressure

Episode Date: May 27, 2025

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About This Episode

How to Stay Calm When You’re Triggered | Reactivity vs. Responsiveness

Ever snapped at someone and instantly regretted it?Whether it’s in a meeting, with your partner, or when your horse doesn’t “cooperate” – we’ve all been there.

In this episode, I explore the difference between reacting and responding, and why learning to pause can change the way you lead, relate, and live.

You’ll learn:
✨ What’s really happening in your nervous system during stress
✨ How reactivity hijacks your thinking
✨ Tools to shift from autopilot reactions to calm, grounded responses
✨ Why this matters in leadership, relationships and even with animals
✨ Simple micro-exercises (PQ reps!) you can use right away

I also share stories from coaching and real life – plus what I learned from my horse Maggie about emotional regulation. (Spoiler: She’s a great teacher.)

🎧 Whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself through tough moments, this episode will give you practical ways to show up with more calm and clarity.

00:00 Introduction: Curiosity Over Expectations
00:15 Staying Calm in Challenging Situations
02:11 Understanding Reactivity vs. Responsiveness
02:45 The Role of the Nervous System
08:43 Tools for Shifting to Responsiveness
11:16 Building Long-Term Practices
13:56 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Let’s connect:
💌 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.christine-schickinger.de/de/newsletter/
🐴 Curious about coaching with animals? Start here: https://christine-schickinger.com/trust-technique/

👉 If you liked this episode, leave a comment and share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to hit that Like & Subscribe for more episodes on self-leadership, emotional fitness, and conscious leadership.

#reactivity #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #mindfulness #nervoussystem #selfregulation #coachingtools #neuropositive

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About the Podcast

Welcome to the “Lead Well!” podcast – where leadership meets mental fitness. Explore practical strategies for leading yourself and others with purpose, resilience, and psychological safety. Drawing on insights from corporate leadership, coaching, naturopathy, and even animal care, Christine Schickinger shares real-world tools to help you lead healthier, more impactful teams.