Anger management comes from simple steps

Everyone knows that teenagers are often moody. Some are depressed, some are angry and others are … weirdly happy at times. However, the focus right now is anger.

Many people in Generation Z have anger issues, understandably. In today’s time, stress plays a huge role in our everyday lives. This can lead to depression, anxiety or anger. In some cases, it’s all of the above. To cope with anger management issues, there are many methods.

According to the APA, some of the best ways to deal with anger are “Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm; breathing from your chest won’t relax you. Picture your breath coming up from your ‘gut.’ Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as ‘relax,’ ‘take it easy.’ Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply. Use imagery; visualize a relaxing experience, from either your memory or your imagination. Nonstrenuous, slow yoga-like exercises can relax your muscles and make you feel much calmer. The underlying message of highly angry people, Dr. Deffenbacher says, is ‘things oughta go my way!’ Angry people tend to feel that they are morally right, that any blocking or changing of their plans is an unbearable indignity and that they should NOT have to suffer this way. Maybe other people do, but not them! When you feel that urge, he suggests, picture yourself as a god or goddess, a supreme ruler, who owns the streets and stores and office space, striding alone and having your way in all situations while others defer to you. The more detail you can get into your imaginary scenes, the more chances you have to realize that maybe you are being unreasonable; you’ll also realize how unimportant the things you’re angry about really are. There are two cautions in using humor. First, don’t try to just ‘laugh off’ your problems; rather, use humor to help yourself face them more constructively. Second, don’t give in to harsh, sarcastic humor; that’s just another form of unhealthy anger expression.”

If one feels they cannot control their anger, they can use some methods to help cope. If these methods don’t work, other methods can be utilized to help. Never resort to alcohol, drugs, violence, or smoking to help with this. These substances do not work, nor does fighting or hurting someone. If anything, this will worsen the situation. Violence and drugs can lead to more anger from the drug addiction and the constant urge to beat something or someone. If beating something is truly the only resolution, then consider kickboxing, wrestling, etc. There are always better ways to help with anger than to simply bottle it up.

Regarding the importance of controlling one’s anger, Rebecca Lins, a counselor at Peet Junior High, says, “It is so critically important to stay in control when angry.  If we lose control, it can lead to so many devastating consequences.  Consequences that range from hurting the feelings of someone you care about and instantly regretting what you said and did all the way to doing an illegal act that involves physically harming another person.  Anger is a normal feeling, just like happiness and sadness.  However, it is important how we respond in anger and stay regulated.  We often teach students about their brains and what their brains are doing when they are threatened, angry etc.  If you can stay in control, then your emotions stay connected to your logic and reasoning part of your brain which helps you make informed decisions, it helps you think before you act impulsively.  Self-control is such an important skill whether we are angry or so many other emotions because it helps us respond appropriately when stressed and feel like we can control how our body responds in anger or stress (self-regulation).”