Do you know how to count till 10? Anger Management becomes easier
If yes, you have the power to save some relationships in your life!!
It is true!
How many of your relationships were affected because you burst out in anger at the other person? It could have been your family members, relatives, friends or colleagues.
Anger is an emotion, just like other emotions, for example, happiness, sadness or frustration. It is quite natural to feel angry when you have been mistreated or wronged. It, however, becomes a problem when you express it in such a way that it harms or hurt others or yourself. Anger is also a common response in a stressful situation.
An outburst of anger can cause serious damage to a relationship, be it personal or professional.
It is, therefore, important to exercise control over your anger.
The first step in controlling your anger would be to have an awareness of the anger signs. A few of the common signs are
Rapid breaths
Pounding heart
Headache
Tensing of the hands and shoulders
These signs vary from person to person. Build your awareness of your anger signs; identify what happens to your body when you get angry.
Once you realize that you are getting angry, take a conscious effort to count to 10, slowly.
1 – Breathe in slowly, 2 – breathe out slowly, 3 – breathe in, 4 – breathe out
5- Breathe in and just put a smile on your face (it may be a fake smile, but stretch your face muscles to form a smile)
6 – Breathe out with a smile
7 – Breathe in smiling, 8 – breathe out smiling, 9 – breathe in smiling, 10- breathe out smiling
This would give you enough time to control your emotions which would help you think clearly. Of course, it goes without saying that if you can master your anger by the time you count to 6, you don’t have to continue counting to 10!
Next, the choice of words with which you respond. Instead of bursting out in anger you could probably say “I am quite disappointed with this action/outcome”. You can also state that you are angry at the situation. Remember – not the person, but the action or the situation. There is a big difference in that statement which can help save relationships.
In fact, I would like you to try out Anger Management technique right now. Practice it a few times so that you can use it when you anger takes control over you.