Anger Management

[SS-18 ICBM]

So I've been noticing lately that anger seems to overwhelm my thought processes to a distressing extent. Just a few hours ago a less-than-stellar multiplayer game infuriated me. Upon turning to other tasks, I noticed my anger did not subside and in fact was multiplied by petty annoyances. I needed to discard of some papers and noticed the trash had not been compacted efficiently. I ended up punching down the trash so hard I bruised my right hand's finger joints a little. I guess noticing this later was what finally brought me to my senses.

I would like to hear how you people suppress anger. Specifically, ways to diminish anger once it starts accumulating. How does one clear the haze that gathers over higher brain functions? I'd would like to cope with this before I eventually end up doing something I will regret.

 

[shadowplay]

Try some deep abdominal breathing exercises:

http://www.successfulaging.ca/programs/stress/27.html

 

[Eat_Up_Martha]

I usually just take a lay-down. Without external stimulus (like poorly compacted trash) my anger tends to drift away. Eventually I ending daydreaming about spaceships and pancakes and the problem takes care of itself.

 

[Truthy]

If a person does something to infuriate me, on most occasions I will try to be the bigger person and not let it appear that I am actually mad and I will simply try to get the other person to scream and swear first. If they start screaming first, then I will laugh and find that I am no longer upset. This method of cheering myself up usually works even if that person isn't upset me. In general, making another person mad makes me feel better.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Try some deep abdominal breathing exercises:

http://www.successfulaging.ca/programs/stress/27.html

Breathing deeply doesn't seem too much for me, but that technique looks like a good thing to try.

I usually just take a lay-down. Without external stimulus (like poorly compacted trash) my anger tends to drift away. Eventually I ending daydreaming about spaceships and pancakes and the problem takes care of itself.

Very sound advice. I'll have to keep that in mind.

This method of cheering myself up usually works even if that person isn't upset me. In general, making another person mad makes me feel better.

That's not very nice. It'll also probably make me feel bad later.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

A bit of perspective always helps me.

1. 99% of my problems are either of my doing or are fixable by me

2. I can't forsee many bad things happening that would override how fantastic it is to be alive

EDIT. This is probably more "down in the dumps" management than anger management

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

or are fixable by me

It would be nice if other people around could fix it though. But I guess that's the mindset that exacerbates anger, isn't it?

 

[Perfection]

If you're getting that POed over a video game, something else is probably going on...

 

[Dreadnought]

I have a different problem (I tend to internalize a lot of conflict with other people) and to help that, I usually go for a walk to let my mind drift. It helps!

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

If you're getting that POed over a video game, something else is probably going on...

That is a problem, but I didn't do that just because of the game. It's when little annoyances pile up in my mind.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

That is a problem, but I didn't do that just because of the game. It's when little annoyances pile up in my mind.

Ooh, then learn to separate them?

I dunno how to answer the original question though. I rarely ever get angry - the worst I get is stressed out, and in such a case I either listen to some set happy music to make me feel cheery or, if it's really bad, ignore it until I can get some decent sleep. I find I can sort things out afterwards.

 

[Zelig]

I vaporize marijuana to deal with my anger issues, but I can't recommend you do the same.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Ooh, then learn to separate them?

Difficult for me unless the anger starts to dissipate, unfortunately.

 

[cardgame]

You could always try relaxing music, or even fast-paced music, whatever suits.

Also, pillow punching.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I usually just take a lay-down. Without external stimulus (like poorly compacted trash) my anger tends to drift away. Eventually I ending daydreaming about spaceships and pancakes and the problem takes care of itself.

But don't you end up hungry?

 

[Joecoolyo]

Also, pillow punching.

According to Cracked, that actually makes things worse.

 

[Defiant47]

Go for a run. Unload all of your energy. Tiredness and exhausting usually makes anger difficult to manifest.

 

[lordsurya08]

If a person does something to infuriate me, on most occasions I will try to be the bigger person and not let it appear that I am actually mad and I will simply try to get the other person to scream and swear first. If they start screaming first, then I will laugh and find that I am no longer upset. This method of cheering myself up usually works even if that person isn't upset me. In general, making another person mad makes me feel better.

I really wish I could do that - but usually I am the one who starts screaming first .

 

[pesgores]

I pick a metal piece and throw it on the ground everytime I concede a goal on Football Manager unless I'm winning at least 3-0. That's normal, I guess...

Why bother? Just relieve your anger when you feel like it, as long as you don't include other people in it.

 

[Takhisis]

If you can fix it, don't worry.
If you can't fix it, don't worry.