Stoicism: calm in everyday life

In short: The Stoa is an ancient philosophy that teaches distinguishing between what is in our power and what is not. Calm arises when one concentrates on what can be influenced.

In more detail: Well-known Stoics are Epictetus, Seneca and Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

In detail

• Dichotomy of control: Our judgement and actions are in our power; weather, others’ opinions and outcomes are not.
• Equanimity: Feelings arise from evaluations, not from things themselves.
• Virtue: Wisdom, justice, courage, moderation as the highest good.
• Negative visualisation: Imagining possible losses in order to appreciate and cope with them.
• Evening reflection: Review the day: what went well, what could I do better?
• Today: Similar to cognitive behavioural therapy (emotionen-verstehen-und-regulieren).
• Criticism: Can lead to suppressing feelings if misunderstood (resilienz-psychische-widerstandskraft).