I owe it to myself to manage my anger in acceptable ways to avoid regret. Although anger is a completely natural life process, what I do with that anger rests on my shoulders.
Anger has tangible physical effects on the body, such as a rise in blood pressure, tightening of the muscles, and clouded thoughts. I use three simple relaxation techniques to assist me in managing my anger so I can remain calm: breathing exercises, muscle stretching, and mental reasoning.
When I find myself face to face with anger, I move to a different location. A change in atmosphere by itself aids in the calming process. I inhale deeply and exhale slowly as I focus my attention to my new environment and away from the subject that triggered anger.
To help my muscles relax, I do stretching exercises when I feel angry. As I release tension in my muscles, I also release tension in the rest of my body. I take my time with stretches to achieve deep release of tension in both my muscles and my mind. Stretching my muscles helps me to calm down.
After I complete my breathing exercises and stretches, I begin to think rationally about my situation. I ask myself why I am so upset in the first place and try to reason with myself about my response.
Today, I choose to stop anger dead in its tracks by using breathing techniques, stretching exercises, and mental reasoning. By relaxing my body, I make a way for my mind to reason clearly and achieve a state of inner calm.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. How can I use breathing techniques to curb my anger?
2. What questions can I ask myself when I become angry?
3. Which muscles feel the most tense when I become angry?