By Patrick de Kretser
Anger issues are a natural problem a lot of people face. Many face it without realising just how much their aggression affects their daily lives. It is important for you to identify whether or not you may be suffering from anger issues. If you feel like you are constantly overwhelmed with emotions or work, or that you have trouble organising yourself and your thoughts, or if you’re easily irritated by things that others do, you might be suffering from anger issues. And if you are, the first thing you need to remember is that this is a completely normal issue to face.
Many people don’t seek help because they cannot understand why they get overwhelmed with all these emotions and they do not know where to look for help or who to talk to. I would personally like to point out that you should first and foremost see a doctor for a diagnosis if you feel like this applies to you, but I can understand if you are hesitant. Therefore, I would like to present an alternative – simple home remedies and reminders that you can use to try and keep yourself in check. These will vary in effectiveness depending on the person, but the idea is to actively practise a few methods every day in order to reduce the amount of stress you experience which contributes directly to your anger.
Express your anger in a nonconfrontational way
When you get frustrated over something, whether it is over studies, work, your friends, or otherwise, it is important to take a few minutes to calm yourself down and collect your thoughts. The idea is to bite your tongue and not speak impulsively immediately after you get frustrated, so that you can calm yourself down as much as possible before speaking. Once you do, express your anger verbally in a manner which is assertive but also nonconfrontational. That way, you can get your frustrations out of your system and also help others understand where you are coming from.
Exercise
Channelling your frustrations through routine exercise is a popular remedy for stress and anger, especially for those who have problems finding out what they should direct their emotions towards. Those of you who have watched “Mean Girls” would remember that there is a rather popular scene in the end where Regina George directs her anger and frustration towards field hockey, which rather effectively helped her mental wellbeing. The same concept applies here.
Practise breathing exercises and relaxation techniques
Many people who have gotten into yoga would recommend this as an important step for anger management. Emotional stress takes a great toll on us and we often forget to prioritise our own self-care because of this. Learning relaxation techniques and practising deep breathing exercises is an important routine that makes you put yourself first, which is something you need to do to control your emotions and collect your thoughts.
Aromatherapy
This is a tip I picked up rather recently from a friend who suggested it for controlling anxiety, which I can imagine also works rather well with anger and stress-related issues. Scented candles create a fragrant atmosphere that will calm you down when you are doing tasks, greatly reducing your stress levels and your likelihood to break out in frustration over something. Spa Ceylon is a popular place to get these candles and they are available in multiple aromas depending on what you prefer.
When in doubt, laugh it out
Humour is another interesting avenue that you can venture down if you want to control your anger. The idea is to make light of a bad situation and find ways to look back on your misfortunes and laugh about it in a positive way. Aim to give yourself a reason to stay positive and lively so that you do not focus on your aggression as much. Picking up a comedy series to watch on TV is also a good way to keep your anger in check. As they say, laughter is the best medicine.
Know when to seek help
Ultimately, you have to make sure you know when to turn to someone for help if you cannot control your emotions any longer. It does not necessarily have to be a doctor; you can always confide in someone you trust so that you have the emotional support you need.
If the above tips do not appear useful to you and you feel like you might pose an immediate threat to either yourself or others, seek help as soon as possible. And like I said before, there is nothing wrong with seeking help if you need it.
PHOTOS Lynda