Do you get angry when people say annoying things to you? Do you fume when people cut you off in traffic? Do you rage when your kids or siblings behave in an uncontrollable manner?
At some point in our lives, we get angry. Be it towards a person or an object. Anger is a human emotion that is normal, but when it begins to get out of control, it becomes a problem to the individual. This problem will affect the individual in all spheres of his/her life from his/her workplace, among family and peers even in their relationships.
What is anger?
According to Oxford advanced learners dictionary, anger is "the strong feeling that you have when something has happened that you think is bad and unfair.
American Psychological Association (APA) defines it as " An emotion characterized by antagonism towards someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong". Anger is natural and mostly an automatic response to pain of one form or another. Anger can occur when people don't feel well, feel rejected, feel threatened or experience some loss.
Now, the big question is, what makes me angry? Why do I get angry over the smallest things and blow up out of proportion with what is happening? Why do I get angry at people I love and care about? There are different reasons that trigger anger in individuals and this is simply because the way we interpret situations differ from one another. In other words, what might make Mr A angry might not make Mr B angry. However, the way you interpret a situation can depend on a lot of factors in your life:
Past experiences
Your childhood and upbringing
Current circumstances
Environment
Some common situations that make one get angry include:
Feeling threatened or attacked
Feeling Frustrated or powerless
When we perceive we are being treated unfairly
Effect of anger
Unresolved anger issues lead to anxiety, which can have long term effects on your life. Immediate effects of anxiety might include dizziness, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle pain and problems with concentration and memory. Such symptoms make it difficult to perform routine tasks and can add to generalized anger about life.
Long-term anxiety can pose dangerous risks to your physical and emotional states. Individuals who suffer from long bouts of anxiety can be at a greater risk for strokes.
Serious memory loss, chronic sleep disorders and relationship issues can also develop. Before your anger and anxiety wreak havoc with your entire life.
How can I control my anger?
Avoidance: try as much as possible to avoid people, objects or situations that get u angry. If for example talking to a colleague usually ends up with you becoming angry, avoid getting into a conversations with such person.
Don't hold a grudge: letting go is a very important way of managing anger. Learn to forgive people who get you angry rather than bottling it up, which you will just end up being swallowed up by in bitterness or sense of injustice.
Cognitive restructuring: this simply means changing the way you think. In other words, your thought processes. When a person is angry, your thinking can get exaggerated and overly dramatic. Try replacing those thoughts with more rational ones. Logic defeats anger always.
Relaxation: relaxation is also a good method of managing anger. When in an angry situation, things such as deep breaths and relaxing images can help calm down angry feelings.
Think before you talk : when angry, it is possible to say things one would regret for a lifetime. So, take a few moments to gather your thoughts and think twice before saying anything.
The use of "humour": lightening up can help you diffuse tension. Whenever you are angry, try to use humour to face whatever is getting angry. For example, if your boss talks to you in a rude or annoying manner, you can cover up your anger by possibly smiling rather than frowning your face.
Anger is an emotion which can affect your day to day activities. Try as much as possible to stay happy. When you are angry, look for possible ways of suppressing it ......live happy, stay happy.: letting go is a very important way of managing anger.
Learn to forgive people who get you angry rather than bottling it up, which you will just end up being swallowed up by in bitterness or sense of injustice.
Cognitive restructuring: this simply means changing the way you think. In other words, your thought processes. When a person is angry, your thinking can get exaggerated and overly dramatic. Try replacing those thoughts with more rational ones. Logic defeats anger always.
Relaxation: relaxation is also a good method of managing anger. When in an angry situation, things such as deep breaths and relaxing images can help calm down angry feelings.
Think before you talk : when angry, it is possible to say things one would regret for a lifetime. So, take a few moments to gather your thoughts and think twice before saying anything.
The use of "humour": lightening up can help you diffuse tension. Whenever you are angry, try to use humour to face whatever is getting angry. For example, if your boss talks to you in a rude or annoying manner, you can cover up your anger by possibly smiling rather than frowning your face.
Anger is an emotion which can affect your day to day activities. Try as much as possible to stay happy. When you are angry, look for possible ways of suppressing it ......live happy, stay happy.
Comments
Post a Comment