It is not uncommon for us to get angry. It is part of being human. We fume when the traffic is heavy. We get angry at seemingly simple things.
But this is all normal and part of being human. However, some people tend to get angry a lot more times than others.
Even if you don’t get angry a lot of times, you damage relationships because anger removes your inhibitions, and you are likely to say things you do not mean—things that you will regret later on.
So, what should you do? Below are some tips for managing anger.
1. Take a Timeout
A timeout is a break, and it is something you need to do in stressful situations. It is not that you are trying to run away.
You are just trying to get ahold of yourself and get calm. Timeout is important as it allows you to break away from the situation that is causing anger.
When you feel your blood rising, excuse yourself and go to the washroom. Wash your face to help cool you down. You can also take a cigarette break and get some fresh air.
2. Meditate Daily
Meditation helps soothe and calm your mind. It balances your mental state with your emotional state. Meditation does not require any level of spirituality, as many people claim.
All it takes is for you to sit in a quiet space, alone, and breathe in and out. As you meditate, focus your mind on peace and constantly tell yourself that you will not get angry. This will condition your mental and emotional states into something calm.
3. Be Humorous
When situations get a little sticky, attempt to infuse humor. You will reduce the tension when people smile or laugh. However, you need to avoid snide and sarcastic remarks because you might just hurt someone’s feelings.
4. Forgive People
When we are wronged, our natural tendency is to hold a grudge. We will hate a person simply for putting us, at one time, in a bad light. We associate negative emotions with people or situations, and this causes us to jump to conclusions right away.
Not all people are mean. Sometimes they do not mean to hurt you and there is no reason to believe that they are out to get you. Forgive people and let go of that emotional baggage. This will make you less angry but will improve your outlook on life.
5. Exercise Regularly
Stress is brought about by the hormone called cortisone. The pleasure hormone, however, is called dopamine. You can maintain a balance between these hormones if you exercise daily.
Exercise can bring down stress levels and the fun part is, you can choose what you want to do. You can choose from swimming, jogging, taking yoga classes, walking, or playing sports.
6. Know Yourself
If you keep getting angry, chances are you can recognize a pattern that occurs within yourself. Perhaps you find it difficult to breathe. Maybe you feel your muscles stiffen.
Whatever it is, you need to be attuned to your physical state as these are giveaways that you are about to get angry. Once you recognize that these things are happening, you should get yourself out of the situation and try to calm yourself. Only come back once you have calmed down.
Summary: Tips for Managing Anger
Anger is a naturally occurring emotion but it can be controlled and even mastered. Always remember that anger, in most cases, does not lead to a desired result.
Most of the time, anger makes us do things that we never would have imagined doing if we were in the right state of mind. Remember, feeling sorry has little use if the damage has been done.
SUGGESTED READING:
5 Tips on Dealing with a Freelance Writer
5 of the Best Email Marketing Tools for Your Shopify Dropshipping Store
Top 11 Most Rewarding Online Jobs for Students
5 Reasons Why You Should Blog on Your Online Store
The Rise of Digital Nomads in Barcelona