An Unexpected Way to…stay calm
Staying calm in stressful situations is one of the greatest skills you can master in life. It sharpens your focus, boosts energy, and helps you make smarter decisions under pressure. But most people fight stress the wrong way. The secret isn’t to resist the chaos - it’s to sink beneath it. In this article you will learn how, using Primal Nature’s innovative ‘Deep Operating System’ (D.O.S.) to master stress for good.
HOW CAN YOU STAY CALM AMIDST CHAOS?
Some people seem unshaken by stress, moving through life with a sense of calm control. They have an instinct for slowing down instead of rushing, thinking before reacting, and focusing only on what matters. Like whales diving deep beneath stormy waters, they detach from surface-level chaos and operate from a place of inner stillness. This allows them to make smarter decisions, conserve energy, and stay mentally sharp under pressure. As a result, they become the people others turn to in difficult moments - trusted, composed, and always in control.
Others, however, struggle to escape the chaos. They react to stress like a squirrel trapped in survival mode - constantly scanning for problems, jumping from one worry to the next, and burning energy on every possible threat. Instead of slowing down, they rush decisions, absorb stress from others, and keep their minds in a constant state of overdrive. This leaves them feeling exhausted, unfocused, and emotionally drained. Over time, they become stuck in a cycle of stress and reactivity, never realizing that their greatest power lies in choosing how to respond, rather than being controlled by the chaos around them.
“People who stay calm don’t have less stress—they just refuse to let it control them.”
If you’re someone who struggles with staying calm, here’s an unexpected way to master calmness amongst chaos…
THE DEEP OPERATING SYSTEM
When a storm rages at sea, it whips up the ocean surface into a frenzy of chaotic waves. Yet, deep below, the water is still. Whales know this and they have a simple strategy to navigate the chaos; take a deep breath and dive beneath it. In the depths, everything slows. The noise fades. The turbulence disappears. Here, whales move effortlessly, unshaken by the raging world above. This is their survival strategy - the ability to sink below the chaos rather than get caught in it.
Humans face storms too - not of wind and waves, but of deadlines, conflicts, pressure, and uncertainty. Most people stay at the surface, battling stress head-on, reacting emotionally, and exhausting themselves in the process. But the secret to staying calm isn’t fighting the storm, it’s learning to dive beneath it like a whale - to activate the ‘Deep Operating System’ (DOS). Instead of reacting impulsively, we can pause, take a breath, and mentally descend into a calmer, deeper state. This shift allows us to see problems more clearly, control our emotions, and make smarter decisions - all while others are still thrashing in the waves.
LeBron James : The Deep Operator
Few athletes face more pressure than LeBron James. With millions watching and championships on the line, every decision matters. Yet, while others get rattled, LeBron remains composed. He doesn’t fight the pressure - he sinks beneath it. He applies the Deep Operating System (D.O.S.) to stay calm, make better decisions, and perform at his best when it matters most.
Controlled Breathing: Before every free throw, LeBron takes a slow, deep breath. This simple act lowers his heart rate, reduces adrenaline, and steadies his muscles, ensuring he stays precise under pressure. Instead of rushing the shot, he moves with complete control.
Mental Rehearsal: Long before he steps onto the court, LeBron trains his mind to stay calm. He visualizes game situations in detail, imagining himself executing plays with focus and confidence. This conditions his brain to remain composed, even in high-stakes moments.
Deliberate Movement: LeBron never rushes. Whether it’s a pass, a shot, or a defensive play, he slows down, assesses the situation, and moves with intention. By controlling his pace, he ensures that every action is efficient, calculated, and unaffected by chaos.
By operating below the chaos instead of in it, LeBron consistently outperforms his opponents, proving that true dominance comes not from fighting stress - but from mastering it. If you want to integrate this into your everyday life, here’s a 3-step daily action you can try now…
STEP 1
Recognise the Storm
Most people get caught in stress without realising it - rushing into decisions, reacting emotionally, or letting tension take over. The first step is to catch yourself in the moment when emotions spike. Instead of reacting immediately, pause for just three seconds and acknowledge the stress before it controls you. Studies show that even a brief pause activates the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s logical center, preventing emotional hijacking and leading to clearer, smarter decisions. Simply saying, “I am at the surface. It’s time to dive,” can trigger this mental shift.
STEP 2
Deep Dive beneath the Chaos
Once you pause, the next step is to control your breathing and shift your focus inward. Just like a whale takes a deep breath before diving, you can use slow, deliberate breathing to reset your nervous system and lower your stress response. Taking deep breaths - inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for six to eight seconds - signals to the brain that you are safe, reducing cortisol, slowing heart rate, and restoring focus. Research shows that breathwork can quickly move the body from a stressed fight-or-flight state to a calm, balanced one, allowing you to stay in control.
STEP 3
Operate from the Depths
Now that your body and mind are calm, you can act with deliberate, slow intention rather than emotional reactivity. Like a whale moving effortlessly through deep waters, your actions should be controlled and precise. Studies show that slowing your movements and speech in high-pressure situations activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reinforcing calmness and boosting focus. A simple trick is to speak 20% slower than usual or wait 30 seconds before sending an email or making a decision. This ensures that every action comes from clarity and control, not stress.
NEED HELP? BOOK A PRIMAL NATURE COACHING SESSION
Mastering the Deep Operating System (D.O.S.) isn’t just about knowing the steps - it’s about rewiring your brain and body to stay calm automatically, no matter what life throws at you. That’s where our expert coaches come in. Using our innovative personality profiling system, we help you identify your natural strengths and struggles when it comes to managing stress.
Whether you’re naturally prone to reacting like a squirrel - overthinking, rushing, and absorbing tension - or already have some whale-like traits but want to refine them, our coaches provide tailored strategies to help you develop long-term resilience. Through guided coaching sessions, you’ll learn breathwork techniques, cognitive reframing methods, and practical decision-making frameworks that make staying calm second nature.