How to Manage Anger

To succeed in managing your anger, there are two requisites: the ability to control your emotions and the ability to think before taking action.

Uncontrolled anger can be dangerous to yourself and to the people around you. It can damage relationships, cause emotional scars and inflict physical harm.

Anger as a Fundamental Emotion

When you are threatened, one of the emotions you will feel is anger. The emotion is important, because it sometimes helps you escape from dangerous circumstances. Perceived threats evoke the same response though, and this is when anger becomes inappropriate.

As you know, anger is not a problem in itself. Although it helps to be less angry sometimes, you should focus less on junking the emotion and more on finding positive ways to express yourself.

The following strategies can help you manage anger:

1. Postpone your anger. Immediate anger can complicate issues and put you into trouble. Whenever a stressful situation arises, do not act rashly. Reflect on the issue first and decide how to feel about it.
2. Exercise. Use exercise and physically challenging activities as outlets for your anger. Play a sport. Go jogging. Take a walk. Following a routine helps you release the emotion regularly.
3. Forgive and forget. Don’t hold a grudge; it can only hurt you. Find a way to make peace between you and the person you’re at conflict with. Then move past the issue.
4. Express your anger positively. You can express the emotion in a healthy manner. Choose your words carefully. Calmly explain what made you angry in the first place.
5. Relax. Try out a variety of relaxation techniques. Relaxation reduces your stress levels and makes you less prone to getting angry.

Take your pick from the following techniques:

· Yoga classes

· Meditation session

· Warm baths or showers

· Deep breathing exercises

· Music immersion

· Journal writing

The Danger of Suppressing Anger

Take care not to mistake total control of your feelings with anger suppression.

Suppressing anger does not release the emotion from your mind. You temporarily bury it, and when it does come out, it’s magnified. Physical effects include headaches, high blood pressure and muscle pain (from chronic tension). Prolonged suppression of anger could lead to long-term depression.

If you have trouble managing and releasing your anger, seek professional help immediately before things get out of hand.