Definition of Calm

“Okay, calm down…”

— the worst thing I ever said to someone who was stressed out

In this series, I’m going to explore what it means to be calm despite our circumstances. Let’s start by just defining what calm actually means.

Did you know that calm is a noun, a verb, and an adjective? Personally, I never really thought about it. (Words are like that sometimes. We use them without thinking deeply about their meaning.)

As a noun, calm is a state of tranquility. Merriam-Webster’s first two definitions of this word talk about placid conditions on the water: absence of wind and waves.

As a verb, calm is used with the word down to make everyone’s favorite phrase: “calm down”. (Warning: the use of this phrase can be hazardous to your health!) Usually, “calm down” is code for, “I need you to relax,” or, “Dial down your emotions.” Overall, a completely unhelpful phrase when you are upset. 

As an adjective, calm describes a negative state: the absence of agitation, excitement, or disturbance. This is the definition that interests me most.

Calm is all about self-control. Calm is an essential component of self defense. Interpersonal physical conflict has an amazing ability to prime your body with stress hormones — a helpful feature of the human body — to help you run away from danger, or to help you plow through it. And those stress hormones are helpful only if we can control or focus their effects. A calm mind has a better shot of focusing during a fight. A calm mind can navigate the tumultuous waters of the storm of conflict.

Coming up soon, we will discuss how to build your ability to calm yourself (especially during a conflict). Until then, take care of yourself, take a moment, take a deep breath, take a look around, and take a moment to appreciate this life.