Is it Okay to Be Angry?

Is it okay to be Angry??? Have you ever felt like you just had to put on a happy face and go about your day, even though you were steaming mad about an argument you’d just had with your parents? a misunderstanding with a close friend? a teacher that was getting on your nerves? Everyone gets angry from time to time, and it’s completely normal!! But there are healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with those feelings, both for you and the people around you. Read on to find out how to channel your anger in healthy ways. What NOT to do While it can be bad for your emotional as well as your physical health to keep anger bottled up inside and hope it will just got away on its own, it can be just as damaging to let all that anger out in one great bit violent outburst. Did you know that anger could lead to major health problems like ulcers and heart disease? Not to mention it’s just plain stressful! What CAN you do? Learn how to express your feelings without over-reacting. Take a step back and gain some perspective on the situation – things can often seem much worse when emotions are running high. Take a deep breath and count to ten. Then try these tips: · ADMIT IT. Tell someone you trust – a friend, family member, or even your pet! – about it. Or, write in a journal. Anything to help you get it off your chest without over-reacting is a great start so that those feelings don’t stay bottled up and re-surface later on. · DISTRACT YOURSELF. Sometimes it’s good to take some time away and concentrate on something else for a while. Think about a fond memory that always makes you smile, play with your pet, go for a long walk, play a sport… whatever helps you feel more relaxed and in control. · DEAL WITH IT. Confront the source of your anger if possible, but do it in a calm, cool, and collected manner. Think about what you want to say before you say it, or consider writing a letter. Once you’ve done this, be sure to let the other person have his or her say. Be open to whatever explanation he or she might have, and don’t hold a grudge. · LEARN FROM IT. Reflect on what you can take away from the experience that you can incorporate into your future interactions. · ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT. Sometimes it’s hard to cope with feelings of anger alone. If you feel that you might benefit from some professional help, Reach out!! Find an organization in your community that can help you get the support you need. A visit to your family doctor or a call to 211 are great places to start to find this information. Source: http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page