Are you angry? If so, are you angry often? Do you know how to identify anger and the signs that might appear? If you feel angry often, your face may get hot, your heart rate may increase, you may grit your teeth, or you may even make fists without being aware you are doing it. Uncontrollable anger can lead to problems not only with your health, such as stomach ulcers and heart disease. It can also lead to problems in your relationships, with your friends, your family, and/or with your spouse. Try to identify the fact that you are feeling angry and take control of it before it takes control of your health or ruins your relationships. Sounds easy, right? Well, it’s not.
First, you have to realize when you’re angry and try to calm yourself down. You may lessen the physical signs of anger by practicing deep breathing exercises, taking a walk, or just removing yourself from the area before you act on your anger. Think before you speak. Hurtful words can come out of your mouth and be directed towards the most important people in your life before you even know what you said. Once you say something, you can’t take it back. Practice collecting your thoughts before you say anything. Think of all the good people or things or accomplishments in your life. Is it really worth being so angry that you want to destroy those things? After an episode of anger, don’t hold grudges. Chances are, if you insulted someone, they insulted you too. Forget about it. Apologize and let it go. Hopefully the other person can do the same. If this can happen, you’re on the right path to making a change in your behavior.
If your anger seems to become a trait that every single person you know relates to their relationship with you, or if you feel hopeless or helpless after an anger outbreak, you should probably consider seeking counseling. If you are causing conversations to turn into out of control exchanges and the outbreaks cause you deep regret, it can lead to depression and sadness.
This is when you may want to reach out and let the professionals at the Relationship Center of Orange County help you. Schedule your appointment online using our online scheduling tool, call us at (949) 393-8662, or text us.
