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- Get Distracted - Find something, anything, to concentrate on other than the person or situation that is causing you such strife. Volunteering with a local non-profit can take your thoughts off the anger and give you a feeling of accomplishment. Take a few bucks out of the rainy-day fund and buy a new dress or treat yourself to a fancy dinner. Plan a movie marathon with your best friend or finally paint that guest bedroom you've been neglecting. Set goals for yourself even if they seem small or unimportant. Focusing your time and energy on something positive that makes you feel good will help you forget about your outrage.{relatedarticles}
- Be Logical - While we may feel clear-headed during an angry situation, we most likely are not. Think about the following questions and how they apply to your situation - Will this matter a year from now? What are the consequences if this situation goes unresolved? Have I ever done something like this? You may find that after considering the real impact of the situation and your reaction that effort and time spent outweighs the worth or consequences.
In addition to creating a better state of mental health, anger relief is beneficial to your physical health. Studies show that frequent feelings of high-level anger have been linked to heart disease, including elevated blood pressure, higher levels of glucose and fat in the bloodstream and even atherosclerosis. People who are angry also often tend to suffer from other chronic negative emotions and depression.
