Learning Healthy Anger Management Strategies

There are many strategies to managing anger and each of them is intended to help people who are repeatedly having issues managing a healthy and normal response to upsetting situations. Sometimes things can be so intense that it escalates to the point of violence. When a person experiences multiple episodes of angry or reckless behavior; there's a problem, one that needs to be dealt with. Anger management strategies are designed to help an individual (and loved ones) return to a healthy, normal existence. 

 Taking a time-out is considered a healthy management strategy. Removing oneself from a situation or person that makes a person angry is eliminating the stimuli or trigger. This anger management strategy might simply require a ride in the car or a walk on the beach. Playing sports or working out can help use up some of the extra energy without involving others. Some other suggestions for time-out are reading, listening to music or sitting alone in silence. Each of these activities are considered healthy anger management strategies. 

A second example of healthy anger management is owning up to the anger. Although the anger is usually brought on by an irritating situation or a confrontation with another individual, you have to own your own emotions and behavior. Only the person who's experiencing the anger issues can control their outbursts. When an individual becomes angry, they need to try to disclose the reasons for their anger whether it is hurt, fear, frustration, confusion or jealousy. The person on the receiving end of the blow up will not know unless you verbalize it. 

 Our past can be our greatest teacher because we learn from past experiences. Look back on those situations that upset you before and try to find ways to handle them differently in the future. Learning the cause of your anger may help avoid those escalations that hurt others. Not only might you learn to avoid extenuating circumstances, but you might learn the origin of your trigger. Sometimes we are angry at ourselves and then there are times that we are really trying to protect ourselves with learned behaviors from our past.

Anger is a natural emotion and should not be avoided; trying to ignore it or normalize unhealthy behavior can and will create problems. There are self-help books, online courses, workshops and support groups provided by mental health providers that can help you unlearn what you think you know about anger management. Learning healthier strategies is something we all could benefit from and there are awesome resources near you that can help.