“Laughter is the best medicine,” is probably one the most famous of all cliches. At the same time it is one of the most important ones to remember and think about every time you believe your anger is beginning to build. There are many ways to control anger, yet, there are times where anger to a certain degree is better to let out (as long as it does not harm yourself or someone other than yourself) then to keep bottled up inside.
Anger has been a point of discussion among friends, family and loved ones as well as topics of Sunday morning church sermons and in the circle of health professionals. Anger is a source of poor health both physically and mentally. It is something that has to be controlled before it becomes an everyday part of one’s life. This writer can be considered a wealth of information when it comes to anger as he has found more times than not in situations of fits of anger.
First, it is necessary to find the cause of the anger. One cause can be financial. Today, the world is looking at horrible financial times. We find ourselves out of work as well as our bank accounts drained because of not being able to find a job. This, no doubt, finds us seeking answers, yet it also finds us in a depressed state which can lead to anger because the answers are probably right in front of us and we just do not see them. We hear daily how people take their own lives or do things that are out of the ordinary because of our financial situation. We have to find the answers before anger sets in permanently and does harm. Another reason for anger is that we do not get what we want. When we do not get what we want we do get angry. What we have to do is find an answer to why we cannot have what we want. How do you do this? Turn to God is this writer’s answer.
These are just a couple of possible causes for anger. So, how do we control it? First, this writer believes it best to turn to the Book of James in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Here is what James says about anger: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” HTTP://bible.logos.com/passage/niv/James%201.20#ref=Jas%201%3A20%2Chi%3DJas%201%3A20-Jas%201%3A20&ver=NIV. Reading the Book of James has a lot of answers and solutions to anger and it is a good idea to read it. This can possibly help in controlling anger.
Another way to control anger is to take a nice long walk by yourself and take deep breaths. This works for this writer and it is not only comforting, it is also healthy. What you do not want to do is talk to yourself too much because people might notice and this can make you angrier and say things that could lead to a confrontation.
Take a long look in the mirror. Find out what it is that is bothering you. Run the water and listen to it. This can sooth the soul and get you thinking about the anger that is inside of you.
Working out can help control the anger and the stress that is inside of you. Lifting weights, running, getting on the treadmill can relax the muscles a bit and shake out the cobwebs. Think about the moment and not what caused you to come to anger. Hit the punching bag. Make sure that you know how to do this as it can cause bodily harm, but do it. Paint the picture of the person or the situation that made you angry on the bag and swing away.
Finally, play some music. Get into a room by yourself and put on the headphones, close your eyes and sit back. Music is good. Laughter is good. Being with friends who do not make you angry is good. Just do not let anger get the best of you.
