Although anger can be a helpful emotion, and can even keep us safe, too much is a bad thing. The idea isn’t to get rid of anger for good but to learn how to harness it and understand it.
By learning to control your feelings, you can avoid many situations that could cause you to otherwise lose control. People who are ruled by anger have more conflicts in life, and ultimately less happiness in their life in general.
Even though anger may have a purpose, it rarely helps unless you’re face to face with a physical threat. Therefore, if you’re looking to let go of the anger in your life and embrace happiness, take a look at some of these tips.
Recognize Why You’re Angry
If you find yourself getting angry constantly and you have no idea why you’re mad, then this isn’t productive behavior. It’s vital that you have a purpose and reason behind the way that you feel.
Whether you are battling a lawsuit, or you’re in a disagreement with a friend or family member, it’s essential to know why. If you feel angry but can’t communicate why or how then this is an indication of a much bigger problem.
Find an Outlet
If you’re feeling particularly angry, it’s crucial to find an outlet. An outlet can be anything from going for a run to writing a letter and tearing it up. Different people have different forms of communicating their feelings.
The same method doesn’t always work for everyone. Try to find something that works for you personally. The idea is to feel better after you’re done with it. By finding an outlet for your anger, you won’t hold it in and eventually misplace it.
Don’t Take Action
When you’re feeling angry, it’s a terrible time to take action. Pause and take a break until you have control again. When you’re mad, you are less rational and more likely to do something that you may regret later.
Practice Calming Techniques
Sometimes the only solution for letting go of your anger is time. However, in the meantime, there are calming techniques like deep breathing which can help you calm down.
These techniques can range from deep breathing to meditation. The idea is to bring your stress hormones down and lower your heart rate. By taking control of your body physically, you can take control of it mentally.
Let It Go
Sometimes there is no solution which will make you feel better. You may have been genuinely wronged by someone or something. When there is no explanation or excuse, the best thing to do is to let it go.
Holding on to your emotions will only hurt you in the long run. Experience it, and let it go!