Does your blood pressure skyrocket when things don’t go your way? Are you prone to cursing to the moon and back when someone cuts you off in traffic? It’s perfectly normal to be angry at times. But uncontrolled anger can be detrimental to your health and your relationships.
Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to tame your temper.
1. Take a Few Deep Breaths
When you feel your heart racing, your fists clench, or your blood pressure rise, take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes. Think about your favorite place in the world. Imagine yourself there. This helps your body relax and releases the tension that is building up.
Another thing you can do is count down from ten to one. This allows you to focus on something other than your anger and helps you regain composure.
2. Physically Remove Yourself from the Situation
When you feel yourself getting angry, it’s a good idea to take a time-out. Take a walk. Go to the bathroom. Take a shower. Go for a run. Do something physical.
Removing yourself from the situation takes away the trigger to your anger. The distance can also give you a small mental reprieve. This allows you to collect yourself, let the initial burst of emotion pass, and think.
3. Talk to Someone
Sometimes you just need to vent. Venting to someone can help you get your anger out and ease the stress and anxiety associated with the situation that is making you angry. Because there is a person to listen, you’re also more likely to listen and hear what the other person is saying.
Talk to someone you trust, like a significant other, family member, or a close friend. Complaining to your pet while stroking their fur will sometimes do the trick. But if you’re overwhelmed and think that no one in your life can help, consider seeking therapy counseling. Professional therapists can lend you an ear and aid you in navigating your emotions.
4. Exercise
Exercising is a great way to dissipate your anger. Workouts force you to focus on tasks that will expend your energy. It leaves no room for you to remember what triggered your anger. Additionally, exercise releases endorphins in your body. These hormones can edge out the stress hormones and leave you feeling better. Just remember to work out safely.
5. Find an Outlet
Sometimes you get caught up in your anger that you don’t want to see other people or work out. In these cases, you need to get your anger out in a safe way.
You can scream into a pillow or punch a cushion. You can scrawl on a piece of paper until you fill a whole page. As long as your anger is expressed safely and healthily, you can feel better.
6. Write About It
Writing about your feelings in a journal or even a piece of paper is helpful in many ways. Firstly, it gives you an avenue to verbalize your anger. Secondly, it allows you to release stress, anxiety, and frustration. Lastly, it can give you an idea of the reasons for your anger and possible management solutions.
Ultimately, the best way to manage your anger is to know the cause and address it. Writing about your feelings can guide you on a fruitful introspective journey. It can also be beneficial to have these records in case you decide to go to a counseling center or on an online counseling session.
Conclusion
It’s perfectly normal to feel anger. But it’s also important to have control over your emotions.
If you’re having trouble controlling your anger, there is no shame in needing professional help. Counselors, therapists, and psychologists can provide a safe space for you to figure things out. They will lend you a hand so that you can live a healthier and happier life.
Hope Seed Support Center is one of the best counseling centers in Houston, TX. We offer reliable in-person counseling, online counseling, community support, and more. When you need someone to listen or take your hand through difficult times, don’t hesitate to call us. We’re here for you.
