Mental health is huge component to living a healthy life. Every day I am in contact with people who struggle with anger. They do not know how to handle this emotion therefore they struggle in every day life. Poorly managed anger can inhibit job performance, relationship success, and decrease the amount of positive life experiences a person has.

Anger is a natural feeling that is evoked when we feel threatened to defend ourselves. Anger stems from the feeling of being under attack. This emotion is within all of us, therefore we must all learn to deal with our anger in healthy ways. The alternative is allowing our anger to have power over us. Resulting in walking around the world angry and isolated from friends and family.

Truth is we all experience this from time to time even with our loved ones.

Anger can be a very intense and overwhelming feeling for some people. Holding on to anger rather than working though it can put you at risk for:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• depression
• becoming passive aggressive-not telling people why you are mad and getting back at them
• a hostile/cynical personality

I would love to share with you 10 healthy ways of dealing with anger I learned from the article, “Controlling anger before it controls you,” from The American Psychological Association.

1. Be assertive, not aggressive, is the healthiest way to express anger. Tell people your needs, and how to get them met without hurting them. Don’t be pushy or demanding but respect yourself and others.
2. Learn your triggers of anger. Develop strategies to keep triggers from making you explode.
3. Relaxation tools like deep breathing, visualizing a relaxing memory, or imagining one can calm down angry feelings.
4. Use Logic it defeats anger. Anger can quickly become irrational, exaggerated, and overly dramatic. So use logic on yourself. Remind yourself the world is “not out to get you.” Try replacing these thoughts with more rational ones.
5. Not every problem has a solution. The best attitude to bring to a situation is how you handle and face the problem.
6. Slow down and think through your responses. Don’t say the first thing that comes into your head.
7. Listen to the underlying message that a person might feel neglected or unloved when they are talking to you, fight your natural urge to get defensive.
8. “Silly humor” can help defuse rage. If you want to call someone a name stop and picture what they would literally look like as that name. Even draw a picture if it will diffuse your feelings. Example: you want to yell “you are such an a$$!!!” Just picture or draw that person as a donkey. (This might be obvious but please don’t show them the pic, that would defeat the whole purpose.)
   

   Insert any name, or just use mine if you are mad at me after this post

9. Give yourself a break. “Personal time” is calming and should be scheduled for times of the day that you know are particularly stressful.
10. Getting angry is not going to fix anything. Remind yourself of that. Anger won’t make you feel better (and may actually make you feel worse).

It is so important that we all learn to express and manage this emotion the right way. If you struggle and are not able to express it in a healthy way consult your doctor, psychologist, or other licensed mental health professional. They can speak with you about a deeper range of anger management techniques that can make a positive impact on your life.

Life is to precious and short to be Red with Anger!!!

Enjoy the happy moments in life!

In health, 

Tara Arnold, RN