10 Brainy Tips for Manage Your Anger

Posted on November 23, 2007
Filed Under Life, Health, Personal Development

We all feel angry at times, and we all know angry people who are very hard to live with. Anger is generally not a comfortable emotion, but it is a normal, healthy emotion. We often get angry after we feel hurt or vulnerable. Anger gives us some power to strike back. When hurt or vulnerability becomes anger, we do not feel as helpless. Anger helps us respond to threats. It allows us to lash out and to defend ourselves when we are attacked.

Experiencing anger is extremely dangerous to your health. It causes your adrenaline and blood pressure to rise up at above normal levels. Moreover, you could end up hurting someone or doing something that you will regret later on.

Here are 10 tips to help you be the one in control of yourself ( your mind and body), and not the hazardous madman called “anger.”

1. Take a “time out.”

Although it may seem cliche, counting to 10 before reacting, or leaving the situation altogether, really can defuse your temper.

2. Relax and visualize.

Calm yourself down. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, imagine all those bottled-up fury come out of your nose and mouth. Release it and be free. Repeat this step over and over until you feel peace inside.

Then visualize being in a place where you feel most happy, calm, and relaxed. It may be a place like a beach, garden, scenic locations, or anywhere else you might think of. Just imagine being there and inhaling the essence of your serene environment. By doing this, you will not find it hard to attain inner peace.

3. Forgive and forget.

Nothing could ease your mental and emotional pains better than by forgiving someone that has hurt you in the past. It is very unhealthy to burden yourself with unnecessary torture brought about by unpleasant memories of other people’s demeaning acts.

Moreover, if they have taken something important away from you, would it make sense to also sacrifice your health and lifestyle? Of course not.

4. Exercise.

Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you’re about to erupt. Go for a brisk walk or a run, swim, lift weights or shoot baskets.

5. Think carefully

Think carefully before you say anything so that you don’t end up saying something you’ll regret. Write a script and rehearse it so that you can stick to the issues.

6. Have a circle of “sponge” friends.

Do you feel relieved when you voice out all your problems to close friends and relatives? That’s the power of voicing out your inner feelings.

Always have someone to talk to when you’re down, when you’re depressed, when you’re mad, or in any other occasion when you feel you have to get the thorns out of your chest.

7. Use “I” statements

Use “I” statements when describing the problem to avoid criticizing or placing blame. For instance, say “I’m upset you didn’t help with the housework this evening,” instead of, “You should have helped with the housework.” To do otherwise will likely upset the other person and escalate tensions.

8. Use humor to release tensions

Use humor to release tensions such as imagining yourself or the other person in silly situations. Don’t use sarcasm, though — it’s just another form of unhealthy expression.

9. Listen to soothing music.

It calms your soul. A 20 minute session of listening to relaxing music while resting comfortably could soothe the upset spirit. Take deep breaths often.

10. Pray.

Deadly consequences arise when people could not hold back their fury. Ask for guidance that you will be able to control your temper. Prayers bring inner peace to those who ask for it.

There you have it - 7 essential rules to release yourself from the treacherous killer known as “Anger.” Manage your anger, save your life.

Repressed anger can cause problems down the road, but that does not mean that it’s good to simply express anger. A balanced approach that includes acknowledging anger and choosing how to act seems to work for many people. Anger can be a motivator helping you get things done, or it can become a problem, getting you in trouble. However angry you feel, remember that you can choose how you act on the feeling.