No one likes feeling angry, and when we do feel it, the temptation can be to release our frustration on ourselves. But hitting yourself when you’re angry is a sign of a lack of self-control, and it can damage your physical and mental health in the long run. It’s important to learn how to better manage our emotions so that we don’t succumb to physical violence against ourselves. Below are some strategies that can help us break this harmful habit.
Identifying triggers
When it comes to controlling our anger, it’s important to understand what sets us off in the first place. Take time throughout the week to identify situations or conversations that make you angry and write them down for future analysis. Once you have identified these triggers, you can use that information to proactively avoid those same scenarios or experiences in the future. Additionally, recognizing your triggers allows you to understand why you may feel certain emotions and gives you insight into how they manifest themselves externally over time.
Expressing your feelings constructively
Sometimes all we need is someone else who will actually listen while we vent about what has upset us. This type of expression doesn’t need involve any criticism–simply articulating our feelings out loud can be very therapeutic if done respectfully without placing blame on another person (especially if said person was not part of the situation at hand). Finding an outlet for expressing your anger also helps prevent its accumulation over time, which can lead directly towards lashing out against oneself eventually.
Participating in physical activity
Exercise releases endorphins, natural chemicals produced by the body that help with relaxation and reduce stress levels which often accompany anger. Physical activities such as running or weight lifting give us an opportunity to channel extra energy associated with frustration into something productive instead of using it against ourselves Non-contact sports such as swimming or cycling provide additional opportunities for releasing negative emotions without having risk injuring either ourselves or those around us .
Engaging with creative outlets
Creative pastimes such as playing music instrument ,writing poetry , sketching or gardening offer alternative ways releasing emotion through something productive like self-expression away from incident sparking initial feeling of anger .These art forms allow individuals explore their inner thoughts free form judgement while helping remain mindful how various external matters could potentially affect one’s moods going forward too .
Practicing self-care methods
Taking care oneself during stressful times involves engaging yoga ,massage therapy ,mindfulness activities like coloring/meditation/journaling walking nature etc all which might calming effects help ease built anxiety associated strong emotion . Listening favorite music ,enjoying hot bath eating comforting food are other effective distractions from troubled thoughts furthermore leading moments greater clarity allowing reflect both internally externally more effectively away from chaos prior minutes before doing same again afterward too . Finally reminding respect own feelings yet realizing cannot always control events around only discern way react asking God refinement even during difficult times will aid greatly on path finding peace rather than hatred or hostility consuming mind soul as well heart simultaneously .