Ripples of I – Blog 106: Calm Down!

Every Wednesday, I share one article made up of three little ripples: 

Have you ever been caught completely off guard by a stressful situation, feeling your heart race and your mind go fuzzy, and wished you could just press pause? This happens to all of us - and sometimes, the solution is stranger (and funnier) than you’d expect. 

One Inspiration 

One of my favourite comedians is Laura Ramoso. She’s a big social media star, best known for her sharp cultural humour and iconic characters like German Mom, Italian Dad, and Chiara.  

Chiara is my absolute favourite as she perfectly captures Italian customer service at its finest :)

As an airport gate attendant, Chiara deals with different passengers and greets them all with zero enthusiasm, heavy Italian sarcasm, and the patience of someone who has already had enough before her shift even started.  

When things start to get too much, Chiara pulls out her famous catchphrase: “Calm down” - or, more accurately, “Cahln Dzaun.” 

Watch Chiara in action: 

One Insight 

Last week, I found myself in a very unexpected and distressing situation. I was in an unfamiliar place when I received news I wasn’t prepared for.  

My body immediately went into high alert mode. My thoughts became foggy, my heart raced, and everything felt super overwhelming. 

As I waited alone in a room for the next step, I tried to put into practice all the calming techniques I knew. I focused on deep breathing, consciously dropped my shoulders, inhaled the lavender essential oil I was wearing on my wrist, and silently repeated some positive affirmations. Despite all this, everything still felt like a blur. 

Then, almost without thinking, I said to myself - mimicking Chiara the airport gate attendant - “Giulia, cahln dzaun.” 

Not gently. Not soothingly. But exactly the way Chiara would say it. 

I immediately burst out laughing. In that moment, something shifted. The tension eased, my breathing slowed, and suddenly the situation felt more manageable.  

Research shows that humour is more than just entertainment - it’s a powerful stress-relief tool. Laughing triggers the release of endorphins, which improve mood and reduce feelings of pain and anxiety. It also lowers cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, and relaxes muscles, which helps counteract the physical effects of stress. Psychologists have found that humour provides psychological distance from a problem, allowing people to view challenging situations with perspective and feel more in control. 

In my case, imitating Chiara and laughing at myself gave me exactly that distance. It didn’t make the situation disappear, but it created a moment of relief, reminding me that I could still breathe, think, and move forward.

One Invite 

This experience reminded me that calm doesn’t always come from silence, control, or doing everything “right.” Sometimes, it comes from unexpected places.

This week I invite you to think about what helps you calm down when life feels overwhelming. Maybe it’s a quirky character, a funny phrase, a song that lifts your spirits, or a small ritual that brings you back to yourself. The next time life feels chaotic, give yourself permission to find calm down in whatever form works for you. 

And if you want some expert-level inspiration, check out Laura Ramoso on Instagram @ lau_ramoso  

After all, sometimes the best advice really is to “Cahln Dzaun.”