Play Lava Flow The Anger Management Game
Why should you have a checklist for how to control your anger? Or a plan of action? Because when you are angry you don’t think well and don’t have the ability to make wise decisions. By falling back on a check list you have an easy guide to follow when you are feeling angry, out of control and not thinking clearly.
Here are some ideas for a checklist for how to control your anger; however it is also important to add other coping skills that you know work for you:
COUNT to 20
Count to 20 in order to give yourself much needed space of time between stimulus and response. This gives you a chance to think clearer and be more grounded about any decisions you are going to make.
Remember to Breathe
Breathe deeply while counting to 20. How you feel is largely determined by your physiology- how you move, your posture, etc. By breathing slowly and deeply you decrease your blood pressure and put your body into a more relaxed state.
Laughter doeth good like a medicine
Focus on any humor you can find in the situation. Since our emotions are controlled by what we focus on, if you focus on the humor of the situation it has a way of becoming an anger release valve.
Music calms the savage beast
Put on some soothing music. Music has a way of affecting our emotions. Take advantage of it by listening to some music that is relaxing.
Walk it off
Walk away or remove yourself from the situation for however long it takes to compose yourself. By leaving the situation for a bit and getting some distance from it you get the chance to collect yourself and decide how to respond in a more grounded state.
Lets get Physical
Do some type of physical exercise. This can be a great release when anger seems to have you tied up in a knot. Walking, running, biking or lifting weights are just a few ways to take advantage of this.
If you experience more than mild anger, take the next step and find an anger management program where you will learn more skills to deal more effectively with your anger. Anger management classes can help to free yourself and it is a place where you learn how to control your anger and feel more in control of your emotions.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
twitter.com/angryinla
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855 NO ANGER
855 662-6437
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Death of Osama Bind Laden: Revenge vs. Justice
As the new spread Sunday night that President Obama had an important national security announcement to make many began to speculate about the specifics. As the announcement was delayed news media outlets began to leak the fact that Osama Bind Laden, the worlds most wanted terrorist had been killed. In an anti-climatic statement
President Obama confirmed what was already known around the world. Nevertheless spontaneous chants of USA broke out across the nation. America was rejoicing in the death of a mad man. For some reason my elation did not match many of those on my twitter feed or on television. I could not bring myself to rejoice in the death of a man even if it were a mass murderer. It got me to thinking about the subject of revenge versus justice.
Like many Americans my anger was hot when I witnessed the destruction of the twin towers on 9/11. I grieved the lives of thousands of men, women and children. Henceforth thousands of American soldiers have given there lives in defense of our country. Over the years, (10 years to be exact) my anger has waned. The images of twin towers collapsing did not produce as strong of an emotion. 10 years ago I was ready to join the armed forces at the ripe age of 30 to exert my revenge on the bastard that dared to attack my country but now I was comforted with justice.
What is the difference between justice and revenge you ask? As someone who has treated hundreds of people in anger management classes over the years I have seen people burn with the yoke of revenge and others who found comfort in the idea of impending justice.
Revenge can be defined as “To inflict punishment in return for injury or insult” but I think for many it holds a deeper emotional meaning. Many of my anger management clients are driven and sometimes haunted by thoughts of revenge. It consumes their thoughts and dictates their every action. Revenge is also fueled by anger. Most are angry at an injustice or a perceived injury and can not seem to let it go. I understand forgiveness can be a difficult act when we have suffered a great loss and I do not ask all my clients to make a choice to forgive, sometimes they are just not ready. I do ask my clients to give up the right to inflict vengeances upon the offender themselves. I ask them to pray for justice and if need be demand justice.
Justice takes the responsibility and burden out of your hands. Justice allows you to apply point hope on the present and the future rather than the past. When your ex has cheated on you or your boss consistently berates you in front of your peers thoughts of revenge can seem sweet but overtime they turn bitter and exhausting.
Justice is sometimes quick but mostly agonizingly slow. It took 10 years for justice to prevail in the case of the United States. We demanded Justice and did not forget the horrendous crimes of Osama Bin Laden but we also insured her birth in a systematic pursuit, not allowing emotion or obsession abort her.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
twitter.com/angryinla
Like us on FACEBOOK
855 NO ANGER
855 662-6437
President Obama confirmed what was already known around the world. Nevertheless spontaneous chants of USA broke out across the nation. America was rejoicing in the death of a mad man. For some reason my elation did not match many of those on my twitter feed or on television. I could not bring myself to rejoice in the death of a man even if it were a mass murderer. It got me to thinking about the subject of revenge versus justice.
Like many Americans my anger was hot when I witnessed the destruction of the twin towers on 9/11. I grieved the lives of thousands of men, women and children. Henceforth thousands of American soldiers have given there lives in defense of our country. Over the years, (10 years to be exact) my anger has waned. The images of twin towers collapsing did not produce as strong of an emotion. 10 years ago I was ready to join the armed forces at the ripe age of 30 to exert my revenge on the bastard that dared to attack my country but now I was comforted with justice.
What is the difference between justice and revenge you ask? As someone who has treated hundreds of people in anger management classes over the years I have seen people burn with the yoke of revenge and others who found comfort in the idea of impending justice.
Revenge can be defined as “To inflict punishment in return for injury or insult” but I think for many it holds a deeper emotional meaning. Many of my anger management clients are driven and sometimes haunted by thoughts of revenge. It consumes their thoughts and dictates their every action. Revenge is also fueled by anger. Most are angry at an injustice or a perceived injury and can not seem to let it go. I understand forgiveness can be a difficult act when we have suffered a great loss and I do not ask all my clients to make a choice to forgive, sometimes they are just not ready. I do ask my clients to give up the right to inflict vengeances upon the offender themselves. I ask them to pray for justice and if need be demand justice.
Justice takes the responsibility and burden out of your hands. Justice allows you to apply point hope on the present and the future rather than the past. When your ex has cheated on you or your boss consistently berates you in front of your peers thoughts of revenge can seem sweet but overtime they turn bitter and exhausting.
Justice is sometimes quick but mostly agonizingly slow. It took 10 years for justice to prevail in the case of the United States. We demanded Justice and did not forget the horrendous crimes of Osama Bin Laden but we also insured her birth in a systematic pursuit, not allowing emotion or obsession abort her.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
twitter.com/angryinla
Like us on FACEBOOK
855 NO ANGER
855 662-6437
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