by Alex Gendron | June 12, 2017 6:13 pm
Anger is a normal emotion for us. When we get taunted or oppressed, the feeling of anger is a common response. It is how we react to anger where we differ. Some of us may choose the passive path and let the anger subside. Some may choose the aggressive path and seek the outlet for their anger. This can sometimes lead to violence and pain for others including oneself.
While anger is normal and acceptable, an aggressive reaction to anger is not. This is why you should learn to control and manage your anger before it becomes a problem. Here are effective techniques for anger management.
Acknowledge That You Have a Problem
Acknowledging that you have an issue with controlling your anger is the first and most important step in your road to improvement. This may also be the most difficult step as not many of us are willing to admit that we have a problem. If you acknowledge and accept that you need help in controlling your emotions, especially anger, you can start with self-improvement then.
Keep a Hostility Log
List down and keep a log of the times you were not able to control your anger. What ticked you off? What did you do? The answers will help you identify a pattern or the cause of the problem, the triggers of your anger, and if it has a deeper psychological reason that you need to address.
Use Your Support Network
Find and gather your support group. This can be family, friends or individuals who go through the same issue. Support each other in times when you feel like you are mismanaging your anger. Give each other encouraging words and positive thoughts. Have someone who can keep you calm and relaxed when you feel angry.
Interrupt the Anger Cycle
When learning the cycles and patterns of your anger and with the help of the hostility log you created, you will be able to determine the triggers and times of day or week when you will feel a sudden strong anger emotion. You can either avoid the place, situation or person that triggers your anger or you can intercept the trigger before you start feeling angry.
Use Empathy
Empathy is also a strong emotion that can be used to battle anger. Instead of harboring and feeding the feeling of anger, choose instead to feel empathy towards the situation or person you would feel angry at. Take a step back and examine the situation. Simplify the situation by identifying every part of it. This can help eliminate anger and feel empathy instead.
See the Humor in Your Anger
In some cases, you may get easily angered by petty things, and this is sometimes caused by too much anger suppressed where even the smallest situations can tick you off. Instead of feeding on your anger, assess the situation and find humor in it.
Relax
Although it may seem difficult to manage anger when it blows, the simplest and best way to avoid it is to just relax. Control your mind and feed it with happy, positive thoughts.
Build Trust
Often, anger stems from the lack of trust and this may be due to broken trust in past experiences. One way to treat this type of anger is to open yourself up to trusting situations and people again. Build trust and confidence in yourself first so you may learn to develop your trust in others also.
Listen Effectively
Listen effectively and understand every situation. Anger can sometimes stem from the lack of understanding and jump into conclusions without firm evidence of a situation. Listen to what others have to say and understand them before forming a reaction.
Forgive and Forget
The easiest and simplest way to move on from anger is to forgive and forget. For some, this may be difficult, but the reality is that it is as simple as this and self-improvement starts within oneself.
Think positive thoughts and let go of negativity. Always think that life is too short to breed any form of negativity in your mind and life. Choose the path of happiness, peace, and calm. Let go of anger and choose to be happy.
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