8 WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANGER

 

8 WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANGER

1. Recognize the warning signs

If you can recognize when you’re starting to feel angry, you’ll be in a good place to try some of our tips before you get really worked up or lash out. You can then try a few of the strategies below. Some warning signs are:

• pounding heart
• gritting your teeth
• sweating
• tight chest
• shaking
• anxiety
• raising your voice
• being snappy or defensive
• temporarily losing your sense of humor
• pacing
• getting a ‘flash’ of a bad mood
• being overly critical of someone
• Feeling argumentative.

2. Work out why you’re angry

There are lots of reasons why you might be angry. It’s a normal or understandable response in some situations, such as when you or someone else is being treated unfairly. If you’re not sure why you’ve just snapped at someone, though, think back through your day and try to pinpoint what set you off.

Some other reasons why you might be feeling angry include:

• you’re under a lot of pressure
• you’re experiencing bodily or hormonal changes that cause mood swings
• You’re frustrated with how your life is going.

If you work on first recognizing and then dealing with your anger, it won’t have such a damaging effect on your relationships, body, mind and emotions.

3. Write it down

Sometimes, writing stuff down can help you work out why you’re feeling angry and how you might be able to deal with it. It’ll also help you to put things in perspective.

4. Count to 100

This one seems pretty basic, but it works. Thinking about something other than what’s making you upset for 100 seconds can help you avoid blowing a fuse. It gives you a chance to gather yourself and your thoughts before you do anything else.

5. Press pause

When you feel angry about something, it’s almost impossible to deal with the situation in a productive or helpful way. If you feel yourself losing your cool, just walk away from the situation for a while. You’ll deal with it better when everyone, yourself included, is feeling calmer.

6. Move your body

Exercise is an awesome way to let off steam. You could take a walk around the block, go for a run, or do something really high-energy like boxing.

7. Talk to someone

Talking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling can take a weight off your shoulders as well as your mind. That could be a trusted adult, friend or family member. You could even give the Reach Out forums a go, and talk with other young people who get how you’re feeling.

If your anger is getting out of control, consider seeing a mental health professional. Watch our video to find out why talking helps.

8. Take time to relax

If you know what helps you to relax, you’ll find it really useful whenever you’re feeling angry. Take some time out to do something you enjoy, whether that’s walking in the park, reading a book or listening to music. You could also try an app like Reach Out Breathe or Smiling Mind to help you relax.

What can I do now?

• Try different forms of exercise, which can really help you to burn off your frustration.
• Set aside time every day for some relaxation exercises.
• Find out what your chill style is.