Handle Your Anger at Home: 5 Ways to De-Stress and Relax
You may really love the people you live with, but they can still make you angry from time to time. To keep you and your relationships healthy, it’s important to find a way to handle your anger and lower your stress level.
So what can you do when you feel angry? Instead of focusing on ways to address any specific situation, it’s more effective to look for ways that work to handle anger at home in general.
Follow these tips to diffuse anger and invite peace and harmony into your home instead:
1. Exercise. One way to work off stress and anxiety in your home situation is to get moving. You can join a gym, work out in your bedroom or garage, or just take a walk. It’s a great way to get your endorphins going and feel happier.
With exercise, you can make yourself feel better even if the circumstances that caused the anger don’t change.
You can also try exercising together with your family. One of the benefits of exercising together is that you’ll all feel calmer afterward. When you’re all de-stressed together, you can help one another through issues that might have otherwise made you angry.
2. Listen to music. Try doing something mentally soothing to keep stress at bay. Music is one of the best ways to relax and de-stress, and it’s popular with people of all ages, income levels, and other factors. Pick the music you like; it’s usually more effective, though, when you choose something quiet. Listen to music that makes you feel rested and calm.
Try several different musical styles – you’ll know when you’re listening to something that works for you. And once you’ve located it, you can listen whenever you need to for a calming break.
3. Read. Reading is also a good way to de-stress. Choose a lighthearted book that’s comical, romantic, or otherwise makes you feel good. You can also read a religious or spiritual book if you’re so inclined. Any book that gives a good, positive message about the world or the people in it can help you feel better and be more relaxed.
4. Be thankful. When you’re feeling stressed, try counting your blessings. Write them down, if it helps you. Sure, there might be some aggravating things going on in your home – but there are also many things you can be thankful about. Think about what’s good in your life, rather than what you don’t like.
When you focus on gratitude, you’ll also see more of the good in your life.
When you think negatively, it’s easier to feel angry and stressed. These emotions can make it harder to relate to the people in your family. Positive thinking, on the other hand, helps diffuse your anger and brings you more good things to feel good about!
5. Breathe. When you feel angry, take a moment to take a few slow, deep breaths. This action has multiple benefits. When you breathe deeply, it sends extra oxygen to your brain for clarity of thought and relaxes your muscles. It also gives you a moment to take a mental step back and look at the bigger picture.
When you give yourself time to think first, you’re much less likely to lash out, either verbally or physically. You can then approach the issue feeling calmer.
The people who love you can make it difficult for you sometimes, even if they don’t mean to. If you use the tools suggested here to help you stay positive, you can get a handle on your anger and enjoy greater happiness in your home.
