subject: Before Learning How To Control Your Anger: You Must Learn Why You Are Angry [print this page] Having an anger problem is not only detrimental to your health but others are at risk as well. The art of knowing how to control your anger will prove beneficial for your overall behavior. Our anger is simply an emotion brought on through an outside interference. Though the situation may be out of your control, how you handle the anger is in your control.
It is natural to get angry during moments that feel threatening: however, inappropriate behavior in order to justify the anger is not natural. A perfect example for explaining this is road rage. Another driver darting in front of you will make you naturally angry. However, speeding up to intentionally cut off the person who made you angry is not appropriate behavior. When emotions are overcome with anger, the following suggestions will help in preventing inappropriate behavior.
Realizing you are overcome with anger, is extremely important in preventing a negative response. Excusing yourself for time to cool off may be, as simple as leaving the room. Stepping away from anger provoking circumstances will eliminate inappropriate behavior. Using the above driving situation as an example, instead of trying to catch up to the individual who cut you off, pull over and rethink the outcome before resuming your traveling. Pulling over will allow you to relax and continue with a positive reaction.
Relaxing is vital when angry. An effective way to relax is through your breathing. Concentrate fully on how you are breathing to take your mind off of the issue at hand. Breathing through your nose for a count of five, hold it while counting to five, and count to five while breathing out through your mouth.
Having built up anger and/or continuously getting angry can be extremely harmful. If you find yourself getting angry a lot, try to journal your thoughts. Each night write in a journal, your days experiences. When you are relaxed, it allows you to get a brighter picture of your behavior. Writing in a journal will also allow you to find a pattern to your anger.
Hitting a wall or worse, someone else is a sign the anger is completely out of control. If you are angry everyday for no apparent reason, you will need guidance on how to control the anger. Controlling anger is extremely important; however, finding the source of anger is also important. A therapist trained in anger management will be able to give you coping skills for controlling the anger, as well as, help figure out why you are so angry to begin with.
