How to Channel Anger, by Jacqueline Spencer

[MysteryCat]

Introduction
When you're angry it's easy to release your anger in unhealthy ways. Some people bottle up their anger for fear of upsetting others and themselves where as others take it out on other people when they shouldn't. Hopefully these steps can give you ideas of how to channel your anger in healthy ways.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

Step One
A common habit to do when someone is angry is to rehearse the situation out loud by talking to themselves. This isn't bad if it's once in a while but making it a habit can lead to it happening outside of home and it may make you come off as a little unstable. A healthy way to channel this is to write the situation down on paper and to list why you're upset. This will help you rationalize to yourself why you're upset and while your brain is focused on writing it will relax you and help you to think more clearly about what to do to alleviate the situation. Be sure to discard the paper after you are done so no one else can find it.

Step Two
Sometimes when you're really angry you may actually want to physically lash out. Rather than bottling up this rage and have it eventually become something that could hurt someone, you may want to consider do an intense physically exercise (i.e., kick boxing or aerobics).

Step Three
When people become upset, they will sometimes eat to comfort themselves. If you eat to relax, an important thing to remember is not to comfort yourself with junk food. You will actually feel better if you eat fruit and yogurt as opposed to ice cream and chocolate syrup (and it's healthier).

Step Four
Counseling is another good way to release anger. You are one on one with someone who is paid to allow you to vent your anger, so why not take advantage of that? They can also recommend more ways for you to release your anger that will make you feel better.

Step Five
You may also want to consider doing charity work. Helping others helps you to forget your own problems and to channel your anger into positive energy.

[Sara]

This is very interesting, I think my anger management is fine though.