Uncontrolled anger can be devastating to an individual and loved ones around him/her. A human mind perceives things differently when it is angry and it leads to taking certain steps that otherwise would not have been taken. Managing and curbing your anger is an art that some innately have the ability to do, while some individuals need extra help at mastering control. For those who have made a new years resolution to try to better manage angry outbursts in 2013, here are some basic measures that a person can adopt:
1. Count
Take a deep breath, start with 10 and count backwards. This may seem mundane, but it helps to slow down you reaction time, get oxygen to the brain and calm you down.
2. Remove Yourself
If a comment or situation sets you off, don’t lash back immediately. Simply excuse yourself and walk away. Take a few moments outside, get a drink of water, or go into another room and give yourself a few moments to calm down.
3. Think Before You Speak
Don’t react, but respond. While you are angry, it is very easy to forget sanity and say something that you might regret later. Even if you are fuming, try to take a moment to analyze where the other person is coming from. This empathy will help you to understand their comments and answer in a way that won’t be hurtful.
4. Find Solutions
Look at your life and analyze what exactly sets you off. What is triggering this anger? It might be the same thing every time, like for example, coming home to a messy house. Look for long and short-term solutions like paying the kids a small allowance to help mom clean up. Or, if finances allow, hire a housekeeper.
5. Exercise
Exercise gets oxygen to the brain, let’s us vent through physical exertion, and gives us time to think about calm and effective solutions to a problem. Exercise is a healthy way to deal with anger and helps to calm you down.
6. Let Go Of That Grudge
Learning how to forgive is an effective tool in dealing with anger. Resentment actually hurts the holder more than the offender so try to let go of the situation and move on.
7. Some Humor Can Release Tension
Lightening up the tone of the conversation can prove to be an awesome tool to let that anger vanish away. Laughter is often the best medicine for overcoming the angry moment.
8. Know Your Faults
Look at your own behavior rather than blaming others for everything. The saying “it takes two to tango” is an accurate observation. Review how you are handling the situation and look for ways of improvement.
9. Practice Relaxation Skills
Whenever anger grips you, practice deep breathing skills, repeat a calming word or mantra or listen to music. It will distract your mind and help you overcome those negative vibes.
10. Know when to seek help
Sometimes reminding yourself and utilizing these tips isn’t enough. It is not a sign of weakness to look for further support in dealing with your anger; rather it’s a step in the right direction. Give yourself the tool of anger management education in 2013.
An extremely convenient and relaxed way to begin this process is to go online to www.angerclassonline.com and choose a program that you can take from the comfort of your own home and on your own Internet based computer. Classes are available in 8, 12, 16, 26 or 52-hour increments. They can be taken for self-improvement purposes or with the approval of your judge, can often be used to fulfill court-mandated requirements. They are designed for individuals who don’t have the time in their busy schedules to get to an in-person class but are ready to make a commitment to changing their life for the better.