If queue jumpers, bad service, and people who wear beanies in the gym are just a few of the niggling, serotonin sappers that have already set you off before 10am, well, then this article is especially for you.

Anger is a normal, healthy emotion, neither good nor bad. And like any other emotion, it conveys a message telling you that the message you’re receiving is upsetting, unjust or threatening. However, if your reaction to anger is to explode, that message never has a chance to be conveyed. There’s a big difference between fighting for a cause and losing your cool.

While it is perfectly normal to feel angry when you’ve been wronged, anger becomes a problem when you express it in a way that harms yourself or others.

Sure, life can’t be about rainbows and unicorns all the time, but if you’ve noticed that you mostly feel angry, that small or petty things regularly set you off, or that you frequently regret something you’ve done or said; chances are that your anger is out of control.

Anger is a strong emotion and constantly losing your cool can hurt more than just relationships. A recent report in the European Heart Journal showed that people were almost five times more likely to have a heart attack in the two hours after a heated exchange. Anger ups your risk of getting a stroke, weakens your immune system, and is linked to anxiety and depression.

Here’s the thing, remember that your outbursts are a behaviour, not an identity. These outburst aren’t who you are, it is simply the way you respond. You can change this.

If you’re constantly seeing red, find your zen with these expert approved strategies:

• Take slow, deep breaths. Breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth, for at least a minute. This will smooth out your heart’s rhythm and send a signal to your brain to ease up on the reaction.
• Tighten your muscles and relax them. Notice the difference.
• Make an effort to stop and listen to the other person in the conversation before reacting. Turn angry demands into requests instead.
• Take timeout. No, this is not only for kids. Create a “toolbox” of relaxation techniques that works for you. Some people step away from the situation, while others listen to music, go for a walk, or exercise. Find what works for you and go with that.
• Choose a mantra. Repeat these five words: “Stop. Find calm. Big Picture.”
• Go to your happy place. Close your eyes and think about a person, place, or thing that make you feel calm.
• Know when to ask for professional help if your anger issues seems out of control and causes you to do, or say things that you regret. Help and support is out there.

Explosive anger erodes respect and makes it hard for others to trust you or feel comfortable around you.

“For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Source: youngmenshealthsite.org, dadabhagwan.org, forbes.com, theguardian.com, news24.com, cosmopolitan.com, kidadl.com, mayoclinihealthsystem.org, womenshealthmag.com, healthline.com, webmd.com, helpguide.org, menshealth.com, menshealth.com.au

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.