Making Adjustments During Corona Season #5
From frustration to anger to snippiness to agitation, you have probably experienced it since mid-March. While some respond to moments and seasons of discomfort with sadness, others get mad. You or someone under your roof is one of these.
Not sure about you, but this is an area of continual growth for me.
So, how do you curb your anger? Here are 7 Ideas:
- Decide ahead of time. If you have decided that you don’t want to be the person who explodes in anger, decide ahead of time what you will do instead. It matters less what you decide, and more that you decide to do something different.
- Put your finger on the source. Think about it. What is pushing your buttons? Is there a certain person or situation? Most likely, you can find a pattern. Identify it.
- Ask the question. Give yourself a question for the next time you’re angry or agitated. For instance, you might ask yourself, “Why would I react this way?” Or, “Is this reasonable?” Or, “How does this help me be the person I want to be?” Or perhaps, “What is the truth here?” Again, the question you ask should cut to the heart of the matter for you to help you slow down.
- Find the humor. Given enough practice, you can even begin to locate the humor in the situation or find a way to create it. For instance, you might practice singing blessings at bad drivers!
- Count to 10. This forces you to slow down and breathe.
- Count to 10 again…and again as long as it takes. Most of us will need to count to 10 several times. But, you must decide ahead of time to use this tactic.
- Excuse yourself for a moment. Then, walk out of the room or the building. Walk until you’re ready to walk back in.
Think about it. Practice these or other suggestions. The person you want to be probably isn’t angry or agitated all of the time. And you don’t have to be. Calm is within your reach.
Worth Repeating
Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options.
-Simon Sinek
