Coping with Feeling angry

This is my first ever attempt to write a Blog, I don't think I am going to astound anyone with amazing insights, but if I help people to think and reflect on even the simplest of points and look to change what they feel they can change, then for me that is good enough.....

Over the past couple of years there has been a lot in the news about the increase in mental health issues within the UK population (and the world) particularly because of the impact of Covid.

As I write this is not being made any easier by the current economic and political situations taking place about us in the UK.

There is increased anxiety, stress and fear about how things are going to be going forward. We are being encouraged to 'cut back' make changes to save money, to reduce our spending so that we will be able to afford the basics of food and heating.

The decisions of others such as politicians and companies may have been a reason for this economic decline and we may be left feeling angry and resentful, that it is not fair, that possible 'greed' for profits or poorly thought out actions have led to high fuel bills and increased mortgage repayments. I am not an economist so can not comment on the pros and cons of decisions and actions made.

There are many reasons for anger including: bereavement & grief, relationship breakdown, bullying at work, stress, acute and chronic illness.

However, it is important that any anger experienced responded to, otherwise it can become an 'internal poison' that just eats away inside of us. Anger is not wrong, it is a natural emotion, it is how we respond to it that matters ensuring our actions does not hurt others both physically and emotionally and also that it does not result in harm to ourselves.

Taking time for you and regaining a sense of control of situations that can feel overwhelming....

How might we respond to the emotion of anger?

We can:

• Think before we speak so that we don't say something we regret later.

• Step away from a situation to regain a sense of calm and clarify the thoughts in our head.

• Try and look at the bigger picture to enable clearer understanding.

• Say 'sorry' to those you may have hurt or upset

• Be kind to yourself and try not to 'beat yourself up'

• Take exercise which can help reduce levels of stress

• Take time out for some 'me' time so you feel you are investing in yourself not just giving to others which can lead to feelings of resentment.

• Try and identify possible solutions, being realistic about what you can / cannot change.

• Think about how we communicate with others and use 'I' statements which reduces risk of others feeling criticised or blamed. Eg 'I am upset when..' compared to 'You never..'

• Not hold a grudge, which can lead to feelings of bitterness and sense of injustice. Explore if there is anything you can learn from a situation.

• Practice relaxation skills such as deep breathing exercises and grounding techniques, journaling, yoga or listening to music.

• Express anger in a different way such as getting involved in an organisation that drives / promotes change in to which energy can be channelled .

• Laugh (but not be sarcastic) to remove tension

• Seek help - learning to control anger can be a challenge at times. Seek help for anger issues if your anger seems out of control, causes you to do things you regret or hurts those around you.

Anger may be the outward expression of much deeper emotions that we may either not be aware of or are unsure how to express or deal with, such as sadness, frustration, hurt, depression, shame, loneliness. Dealing with the cause of the underlying emotions will help deal with the anger. Having counselling is a means of exploring these underlying issues and finding ways of changing thoughts and behaviours connected to them.