Blowing your top for even the slightest of provocation is harmful for your physical health, mental well-being as well as your social relationships. Take it easy. No need to get all worked up when things don’t go your way. Read on to find out some simple and practical ways of keeping calm in the face of anger.
1. Drink water
This is said to be one of the most effective ways of getting your anger under control. Drinking a full glass of water not only calms your mind, but it is also a short distraction from your reason of anger. Gulping down a glass of water soothes your rattled nerves and helps you clear your mind. A sense of peace then prevails over you.
2. Avoid confrontation
You might think that getting it off your chest then and there is the best way of resolving issues. But, no. That’ll just make matters worse. If you are angry with your husband, just leave the room for some time. Avoid getting into an argument when angry. You might say things that you don’t really mean and hurt the opposite party.
3. Breathe deeply
A peaceful solution to a raging problem! Whenever you seem to lose your cool, just take a deep, prolonged breath, hold it for a few seconds and then exhale deeply. See, how your temper comes down in a jiffy!
4. Punch your pillow
Can’t believe your best friend could lie to you? Feeling like you could punch him in the face right now? Chill girl. You can vent this frustration better if you punch a pillow instead. This way, you won’t break your hand, his nose and your long standing friendship too! You could also try tearing up old papers, it works amazingly.
5. Go for a walk
Getting out of that agitated atmosphere is vital to get your mind back on track. Take a walk in the premises or go jogging. Just a quick respite to the washroom too gets you time to calm down and think rationally. Whichever you prefer, your anger’s bound to come down fast.
6. Count numbers
It is widely believed that counting numbers in your mind can actually bring down your seemingly out-of-control anger. Take a few moments and start counting from 1-10 in the descending order. This will definitely slow down your running temper.
7. Do not blame
Playing the blame game is often the consequence of uncontrolled ire. It is the most common obstacle in finding amicable solutions. Instead of placing the blame on the other’s shoulders, just say that you were hurt by his specific behavior. Express your anger in a respectful manner.
8. Laugh it out
1Laughing releases healthy endorphins quickly bringing down your flying temper. Despite the heated situation, try laughing at the moment. Laugh like you have heard the funniest joke of your lifetime. You’ll see how easily solutions appear when you adopt such an attitude.
9. Meditate
This is a strongly recommended formula for controlling anger. The moment you realize you might explode with uncontrollable rage, just close your eyes, think of something abstract and train all your thoughts towards it. You can also concentrate on a single thought or action, like breathing.
Controlling your anger is not about winning or losing an argument. It’s more about maintaining and strengthening the bond between two persons by letting go. Realizing the problem within you is the first step in anger management. Taking stock of the situation and seeking help via counseling, classes and self help can change your personality for the better. The ground rule remains, ‘never give words to your anger, for when you are angry, your mouth works faster than your mind’.