It is a misconception that the more spiritually in tune we are, the less likely we are to experience anger. However, this simply isn’t the case. Anger is a completely natural emotion, that we are all bound to experience from time to time. For some, anger is a much bigger deal than it is for others. In some people, their anger can become explosive and uncontrollable. As positive and life-affirming as anger can be, when it goes unchecked in this way it can lead to people getting hurt, emotionally or in worse case scenarios, physically.
However, as damaging as badly directed anger can be, anger that is repressed and contained can be just as damaging. In fact, anger is one of the 20 Things You Do That You Need to Stop – Right Now! When we try to bury our anger away or conceal it, resentment and bitterness can develop, damaging your spirituality and emotional well-being. Repressed anger can also be responsible for turning relationships sour and for self-destructive behavior.
So, what can we do to ensure that we allow our anger to follow its natural path?
The key to creating and sustaining an emotionally balanced and happy life is developing the ability to let things go. However before we can learn to do this, we must first learn to ride out our emotions in the best possible way – including our anger. Here are 3 crucial steps for riding the waves of anger:
Or even more simply put, in the heat of the moment take a minute to observe your emotions before you react to them.
Awareness is crucial when you want to take better control over your emotions and actions. As we already know, anger in its rawest form can be particularly explosive and destructive. Therefore, it is important that before you act, you think. When emotions are running high, this in itself can prove a challenge.
Breathing techniques and meditation practices can be extremely helpful at keeping yourself in check when you feel yourself beginning to boil over.
Try some of these and give yourself the opportunity to observe how you are feeling. Do this, and you could have the chance to better examine why you are feeling the way that you are before you take any rash (and regrettable) action.
Repressed or concealed anger will always find its way to the surface eventually; however, when it does the consequences can often be far worse than if we had given vent to our anger in the first place.
When we choose to ignore or repress our anger, we can literally make ourselves sick. This is why finding healthy ways to express our anger should be important for everyone. Anger can be released in a wide variety of ways, depending on what works for you best. You can choose to scream it out in a secluded and safe place, burn it off with vigorous exercise, write it down, or even better still, write a letter to the person that you are angry with before burning it ceremoniously.
Allowing yourself to express your anger in a safe and controlled way, is the ideal solution for ridding yourself of all of the negativity that has been building up inside of you. The importance of doing this cannot be emphasized enough, as when we learn to remove our anger in a cleansing and cathartic way, we do wonders for our health and emotional well-being.
Once we have come down from the heady heights of our rage, one of the most important and healthy things that we can do is take responsibility for our anger.
When we get angry we can be hurtful not only to ourselves but to those around us. Therefore, learn to face up to what you have just experienced; in your own mind work through what was the catalyst of your anger, feel proud of yourself for having dealt with it in a healthy and productive way and learn from it. Take ownership of your anger and anyone else that it may have affected – apologize if you need to, make amends for the results of your emotions.
There is absolutely no shame in getting angry from time to time, a life without anger would be a repressed and damaging one. Anger can be the spark for change; it can spark moments of social reform and action for justice. When we learn to channel our anger in a responsible and mindful manner, we are proving ourselves to be the enlightened and passionate beings that we strive to be.
So please, don’t hide from your anger. Learn to surf the great waves of your emotions – don’t sink in them! That is the true key to a life of enlightenment.
As previously mentioned, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can help when dealing with anger and/or control mood swings.
Be sure to consider using self-hypnosis in treating anger issues. It not only helps you relax but also helps you make better choices when faced with suppressed anger.
“I’m doing an intense transpersonal therapy and I became very curious about hypnotherapy. You and your work are helping me using my time in a very effective way. You have all my gratitude for all the help you and your work bring to my healing process. Big thanks and hugs!” – Nancy Branconnier
If you want to try self-hypnosis for anger management, be sure to check out eHypnosis, which is easy and risk-free.
