7 Simple Anger Management Tips
If you feel more than a little angry on a regular basis, you might want to
incorporate a few anger management techniques into your life. Anger can cause a
whole host of challenges, from health issues, to career challenges, to even finding
yourself in jail.
Most people avoid relationships with someone that is frequently angry. Anger just
isn’t attractive, and it drives others away, both in your personal and professional
life.
Luckily, there are strategies you can practice that can help you deal with your
anger in a constructive manner.
Tame your anger and feel better with these techniques:
1. It’s important to want to resolve your anger issues. Many people with anger
management issues don’t view such issues negatively. Many believe they’re simply
being honest. Others acknowledge that they often get their way when they show a
little anger.
◦ If you don’t believe that your anger is negatively impacting your life,
you won’t reduce its presence in your life.
2. Be more accepting of others. What makes us angry? Generally, it’s when
others don’t behave the way we think they should.
◦ Perhaps you’re being unreasonable. There are a lot of ways to view the
world other than your own. Be willing to accept other perspectives, value systems,
and ways of doing things.
3. Avoid making assumptions. Those that are chronically angry tend to assume
hostile motives by those who are making them angry. Do you really know why someone
did something? In most cases, you can’t know. So why assume their motive is the
most unappealing option you can imagine?
◦ Put off judging the motivations of others until you have actual proof.
Assume innocence until you have information to the contrary. It’s not easy to know
exactly why someone did or said something. Perhaps you could ask them!
4. Take a five-minute break before responding in anger. Once you’re angry, you
don’t think very well. If you’re going to respond in a hostile manner, it’s best to
make that decision when you’re calm.
◦ Science has shown that the ability to think rationally is compromised
when you’re feeling strong emotions. You’re acting more from instinct than
intellect when you’re angry.
5. Exercise. There are many studies that have shown that exercise is helpful in
boosting your mood, and it doesn’t take a lot of exercise. Just five minutes can be
enough to see a benefit. A short jog can take the edge off your anger
◦ Make exercise a daily routine and notice how it affects your anger.
6. Use relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, and music that
soothes you can all help. So can a warm bath, aromatherapy, and spending time doing
hobbies that you enjoy. Try a variety of techniques and stick with the ones that
work best for you.
◦ It’s best to make a habit of using relaxation throughout the day, not
just when you’re feeling angry. Prevention can be the best cure.
7. Reduce the amount of stress in your life. Stress puts you closer to the
threshold of anger. Think about everything in your life that causes you stress.
What changes can you make to reduce that stress?
If you’re still having trouble controlling your anger, professional help is
available. Anger management issues are common and some mental health professionals
specialize in helping those that can’t control their anger. Help from an expert can
be more effective than trying to deal with this issue on your own.
Anger is a common emotion, but most people don’t feel anger to any great degree on
a regular basis. If you have difficulty making it through the day without boiling
over at least once, it may be time to gain control over your anger.
Chronic stress and feelings of anger can be very damaging to relationships, your
health, and your career.
Manage your anger effectively. Take control over this negative emotion and you’ll
benefit in more ways than you can imagine!
