Getting angry about something or at someone is normal and completely fine. It is a natural emotion. What matters is not that you get angry but how you control your anger, how you deal with it, express it and dissipate it.
It is not right if you express your anger in a way that hurts others. It is also not right if you express anger in a way that hurts yourself either.
We as humans are totally capable of controlling our anger. There is no need to hold it in (suppress it) or let it out in such a way that is harmful to others and damaging to your physical health, mental health, goals, reputation, social life, work life and your relationships.
So how do you go about managing your anger? We have put together some tips that may help you.
Learn what triggers your anger
You know what makes you angry, what words set you off and which people make you see red. Make a list of everything, every person and every situation or place that makes you angry. Until you can make peace with everything on the list, and learn to handle these situations and people in a calm controlled manner, avoid them.
This does not mean you are not facing your challenges, or are running away. It means that while you work on controlling your anger, you will avoid situations and people that can trigger your anger response.
Meanwhile, spend time learning to control your anger
Know your body’s warning signs that you are getting angry
Whenever you start to get angry there will be changes in your body. You may start breathing faster, your heart may start to beat faster, you may sweat, or you may clench your hand. Identify these changes and as soon as you feel them coming on, stop and ask to be excused for a BREAK from the situation or conversation. Explain you will return in 10-15 minutes or however long it will take you to calm down.
This does not mean you are running away from a conversation or not facing it. It means you are taking a break to control your anger.
Understand what has a cooling effect on your anger
You will have things, people, music, movies, books, places, and thoughts that make you feel calm and give you good vibes. As soon as you feel the anger rising and the changes that occur in your body immediately doone of the things that have a calming effect on you.
If you have already lost your temper, remove yourself from the situation and do one of these things to calm you down.
Find an outlet
Yes you have anger issues. Yes, your anger rises. And yes it’s there. As this is the case, find something that will allow you to dissipate the pent up frustration and anger in a constructive manner.
You could go to the gym everyday and do some weights, do some martial arts, a sport, or trekking. There are so many things you can do to give your frustrations and anger an outlet.
Find out if there are any other underlying issues behind the anger
The majority of time when someone has anger and temper problems there is always an underlying issue(s) that has not been resolved. Something that is there and is silently niggling away, haunting you or just buried and not been dealt with. This can be a trauma from your childhood, school days or even previous relationships. You may be actually angry about something that happened a long time ago but are taking it out on things, situations and people that are a part of your present.
If this is the case, be brave and identify it. Be honest with yourself that there is something that needs to be resolved. Bring it to the surface and talk about it to a partner or friend. Get counselling if you need to. Deal with your underlying issues so you can be free to live today.
If you have any tips or experiences of anger management please let us know on our forum and social media! Share some of your thoughts with others and start a conversation.
DISCLAIMER
Before you start any new diet, health programme, exercise routine, and ingest or topically use any oil, vitamin, mineral, product or compound, it is very important to consult your doctor, therapist or do a patch test to make sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
We do not offer any form of medical or psychological advice. The information in our wellbeing articles are offered for educational purposes only. Our wellbeing articles are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Thank you.
