Anger is one of those emotions that everyone has to cope with. If you find yourself feeling upset more often than not then you may be crossing into dangerous territory. Unchecked anger can damage your relationships and your health.
You will need to learn how to deal with your anger positively. The good news is that this is entirely possible. If you are ready to take back control, here is a look at how to do just that.
1. Speak With Care
Your knee-jerk reaction is probably to respond immediately when something upsets you. The first and most important step to managing your anger is simply to take a moment to collect your thoughts.
When you do this you also give the person or persons involved in the dispute time to think before they speak as well. Once you are reasonably calm then you can go ahead and express how you are feeling using confrontational language.
2. Say “I” More Often Than “You”
When you are angry it is easy to see everything the other person did and start spewing accusations. This is why you must avoid starting your sentences with “You”.
Instead, you should talk about what you are feeling by beginning your sentences with, “I”. It is amazing how this simple shift in dialogue can impact how an argument turns out.
Using “I” instead of “You” is one of the most non-confrontational ways to steer a confrontation towards peace.
3. Let Go of the Negative
Once arguments are finished it is important not to hold on to a grudge. When you hold a grudge you are allowing anger to crowd out your positive feelings.
Forgiving makes life a lot easier and frees you to focus on the more positive things about your life. Recognize too that your anger may have more to do with your insecurities than the other person.
You may need to get on the road to a more healthy sense of self. A great way to start is by using positive affirmations to build your self-esteem.
4. Seek Professional Help
It’s ok to need and ask for help. If you just can’t seem to manage no matter what you do then it may be time to seek out the help of a professional.
Sometimes, issues go far beyond what you may be able to handle alone. The sooner you acknowledge this and get help the quicker you will be on the road to a healthier you and better relationships.
Getting Your Life Back
Anger can take over your life if you are not careful, being angry all the time prevents you from enjoying your life. You will miss out on the small and big events that will bring you joy.
You won’t be able to appreciate those around you because you will always be dealing with strained relationships. It can quickly become a prison.
The best way to avoid this is to do everything you can to develop healthy ways of coping with negative feelings.