Control your anger

Have you noticed how angry everyone seems to be getting these days? It’s not a young person thing either, in fact it may be an older person thing. Psychologists have all kinds of answers as to why this might be – but whatever the causes of it there is no doubting that things are getting worse. I find it happening to me as well at times. It usually happens when I get tired or there are just too many things to think about and then something tips me over the edge and I can feel that anger rising inside me. Although I can’t say I’m perfect at managing it I do try and I think we should all be making an effort not to get so angry. So here are some tips for controlling anger.

1. Recognise you are getting angry
   The first step has always got to be to recognise the anger that is inside you. I’m not talking about frustration here, I’m talking about anger. We all get frustrated but anger is when we let that frustration out in an aggressive way. If you don’t notice the anger then you won’t be able to control it.
2. Acknowledge that you are in control
   You also need to understand that you are in control of the anger. You don’t need to give in to it.
3. Choose not to be angry
   Now is the time to reject getting angry. Sometimes this might mean removing yourself from the situation so you can calm down or just taking a pause to stop yourself from expressing the anger.
4. Use diversion techniques
   You should work out some techniques that will help you to stop getting angry.
5. Get help
   If you have a very big problem with anger then you should go to see your doctor. Anger can shorted your life and so it is important to deal with it properly.
6. Relax
   After the situation has passed you should make sure you get some relaxation to let go of the tension you are feeling.

Anger is very destructive and I can think of very few situations (if any) where it is justified to get angry. Anger seldom gets anyone what they want and always leaves others feeling small. It can be very destructive to relationships, even when you are not on the receiving end of anger but only an observer. Of course differences need to be settled and rights need to be maintained but anger is not the way to achieve this.