Anger Observed

What makes you angry? Maybe it's something small, like the sound of humming, or a buzzing fly in your room. Maybe it's your angsty teen that won't take the trash out, or your mother-in-law that always has something to say at family dinners. Everyone has experienced anger in some shape or form, but have you ever taken a step back and wondered- What's causing this in the first place?

The part of our brain that processes emotions is called the limbic system. Diving into it we can find the hypothalamus- what controls our fury. When something triggers you, it has passed through our amygdala, which is essentially the supreme court judge of our actions, deciding whether we are to react, or think. As many of us have probably experienced, when we're angry, our decision making skills can be a bit impaired. Some of us scream, cry, shut ourselves down, or self-medicate. What's important to remember is that anger is a natural part of life, and nothing to be ashamed of, but cool down time is vital.

There are over a hundred different ways to defuse anger, so try them all and find what's best for you. Since I couldn't possibly write out every single option and still have time to breathe, I've made a quick three step guide that just might help.

Step One: Express

We all have the tendency to bottle up our feelings sometimes, but it is unsafe for your physical and mental health. So, whether it be through a sport, therapy session, art, a talk with someone close, or just saying it out loud, you must let it out. Easier said than done, I know, but it is the most important step.

Step Two: Evaluate

Nearly all of our anger is rooted deep within us somewhere. Maybe it's an annoying sound that makes us explode, but there's typically a much larger reasoning behind our madness. The more you deny it, the worse it gets. Confrontation is one of the hardest things we have to deal with, especially when it's with ourselves, but once you target the problem, the pieces will begin to fall into place.

Step Three: Relax

Our most treasured part of life- relaxation. Don't fray from taking time for yourself to just sit back, close your eyes, and breathe. Listen to your favorite music, watch a movie, take a quick nap to recharge your emotions. After you indulge yourself for a bit, your problems come into view much clearer than before. Remember to keep yourself nourished, and try to force yourself away from comfort foods. Water is your best friend when it comes to your health, and taking some time out of the day to care for you will ease your edge.