Everyone feels angry sometimes. Anger is a normal response to feeling threatened or frustrated. However, if it?s not well managed, it becomes a problem, threatening your career, your relationship and every aspect of your life.

To manage excessive anger, you need to learn how to express your feelings in a healthier way so that anger becomes a helpful, controlled reaction to those everyday frustrations.

What is an anger problem?

Anger is an emotional state that varies in intensity, ranging from mild irritation to violent rage. Like other emotions, it is accompanied by changes in the body, including increased adrenaline levels and faster heartbeat.

Some people are able to express their anger in a controlled and constructive way. But others lash out in an aggressive, uncontrolled way, either immediately or after letting their feelings build up. This can lead to intimidating, violent or bullying behaviour which endangers other people, property. Anger can even lead to self-harm.

If you feel your anger is out of control, and is affecting your relationships and quality of life, you may benefit from addressing the way in which you handle your angry feelings.

Helping yourself

There are a number of ways which people use to deal with anger. You need to deal with angry feelings and find better ways to express yourself. For some people, it can help to gain insight into why they get so angry.

Calm down

If you feel yourself getting angry, don\'t let it build up until you have a violent outburst. Try breathing deeply from your diaphragm in long, slow breaths, giving your heartbeat a chance to slow down. As you breathe, imagine a strong core inside you. Repeat a word such as \"relax\" or \"calm\" as you breathe.

Then give yourself time to think. Get out of the situation if you need to, and find someone to talk things over with, who will help you to calm down. Try and think logically about the cause of your anger. Consider if there is a misunderstanding or if you are really angry about this or something else such as financial or personal problems.

Learn to express yourself calmly

Try to express angry feelings in an assertive manner, using calm, logical words rather than violence.

If you are having, or expecting, a heated discussion, keep the following in mind: Continues.....BUPA