Anger doesn't resolve anything, builds nothing but can destroy everything. Catch anger before it catches you.
We all feel angry from time to time and it's not always easy to manage our anger effectively. Here there are 6 quick and easy practical tips that you may find useful to manage your anger.
Tip#1 Recognise your own triggers
Learning to identify and cope with triggers is a popular strategy for the treatment of several problems - especially anger. So what is a trigger? A trigger is a stimulus (such as a place, person, situation) that contributes to an unwanted emotional or behavioural response.
Tip#2 Create a strategy to deal with your triggers
This may include avoiding the trigger, a list of coping skills and people you can talk to if you feel the need to get some support.
Tip#3 Learn about your physical and behavioural responses to anger.
Sometimes anger can affect what you say or do before you even recognise the feeling. Even if you are not aware of you anger, this influences how you behave. An important first step to managing anger is learning to recognise your personal warning signs that tell you how you feel.
Tip#4 Think before you speak
Most times in the heat of a moment we say things that we don't really mean and that we regret afterwards. A good tip to avoid conflict is to take a time out and walk away from the trigger (what set you off) and go to a safe place where you can calm down undisturbed.
Tip#5 Once you're calm, express your anger
Talk about how you felt and why you felt that way. Try to use assertive communication tools such as 'I statements' (I feel... when... and I would like...). In a nutshell, being assertive is about standing up for yourself without arousing the other person's defenses. The essence of assertiveness lies in saying how it is for you rather than what others should or shouldn’t do.
Tip#6 Just do it
Follow these simple steps next time you get caught up in anger. Remember that anger doesn't resolve anything, builds nothing but can destroy everything. Catch anger before it catches you.