Anger and Stress Management

Anger and Stress Management:

Sometimes we respond to stressful situations with strong emotions such as anger and frustration. We can choose to express anger with physical attacks, avoidance or communication.

Anger occurs when we feel as though someone or something has interfered with our plans or wellbeing.

We also feel anger when we believe someone has betrayed our trust, rejected us, given us unnecessary criticism, or been inconsiderate.

Anger is a protection mechanism telling us that the situation is not as it should be. It tells us that something is wrong and either we have to change our perception, reaction, or environment.

Do your interactions with people often end up in arguments?
Do you feel as though people are often wrong or have a vendetta against you?

Do you brood angrily about a conversation you had with someone – the other day or even years ago?
Do you feel tense and ‘on-edge’ in communications with others?
Do some people irritate you?
Do you use your fists to make a statement?

Anger and Stress Management: Carrying around anger is detrimental to your health. If you suffer from anger related stress you are at risk for cardiovascular disorders.

Emotions are warning signs that you are ‘stressing out’. Emotions bring about a physical change within our bodies. Do you clench your jaw? Or your fists? Does your heart rate increase at certain times?

Our physical reaction to stressors is a sign that something is not right. If you pay attention to these physical reactions you can use these signs to alter your reaction. You can re-evaluate whether you need to feel anger at that time, or attempt to come up with a solution that benefits all involved.

Understand that your thoughts & beliefs can trigger anger. Experts say that anger is the result of thoughts or beliefs inside of you. You can change your thought or belief to change how you feel about a person or situation.

Do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself & others? Do you feel as though you are a victim of injustice? Its not fair! Why me?

People who are angry become energised as the body response with the ‘fight or flight’ response. They feel more powerful and as though they have control over the consequence.

Anger and Stress Management Tips - When you feel anger rising you can choose your response:

Physical, verbal, nonverbal attack: Such as yelling, swearing, belittling comments, put downs, hitting, slapping, destroying or throwing objects.

Avoidance: Walk away, take time out to calm down, avoid the conversation.

Communicate: Communicate feelings, talk about it quietly, reconcile, choose a happy medium for everyone.

Often our immediate angry response comes from what we learned through our childhood. With conscious effort you can choose to react differently when you feel anger.

Anger and Stress Management Tips:

1. Take a few deep breaths. This tells your body that you are not in immediate danger & will help you to calm down.

2. Wait until your thoughts are clear. Write down how you are feeling. What your needs are. What you think is ‘wrong’. What do you feel the other person did that bothered you?

3. Make an appropriate time, for everyone involved, to discuss the situation. Do not enter into the conversation wanting to ‘win’. Have the mind-set that you are wanting to resolve it with the best intentions for everyone.