When you find yourself swamped with work and unable to find time for the things you enjoy, little annoyances can suddenly seem unbearably obnoxious.
Feeling stressed out and overwhelmed can make you act like a different person. You may find yourself yelling or snapping at others and becoming easily upset by minor things. You may also engage in risky behaviors like driving recklessly.
Can Anger Be Good?
Studies show that some anger is healthy. Evolutionary psychologists consider anger to be a natural, biologically adaptive mechanism that functions as a warning to ‘stay away.’
It’s impossible to completely avoid getting angry, and it’s also unhealthy. There are times when you need to get angry in order protect yourself and your loved ones.
How Angry is ‘Too’ Angry?
There is a point at which anger becomes maladaptive and unreasonable. The signs are usually most apparent in your interactions with those around you. Do you yell at your kids for things that really aren’t a big deal? Do you find yourself swearing much more than you usually do? Does your significant other accuse you of overreacting or getting too worked up? These things may point to an anger problem.
If you can’t conceal your anger while you are at work or school, it’s even more likely that you’re having difficulty managing your negative feelings.
If you want to avoid unnecessary conflicts with your co-workers or peers and maintain healthy personal relationships, you have to learn to respond to stress in an appropriate manner.
Tips for Dealing with Stress and Anger
As mentioned before, too much stress can make you feel more irritable. One way to prevent this is to avoid overcrowding your schedule. Make sure that you plan time for relaxing, going out with friends, and other fun activities. It’s also advisable to plan a set amount of time for work and for running errands. The more closely you follow your schedule, the less likely you are to spend your free time worrying about work.
The American Psychological Association site recommends the following techniques for managing anger:
- Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm
- Slowly repeat a calming word or phrase…while breathing deeply
- Visualize a relaxing experience from your memory or your imagination.
- Try non-strenuous, slow exercises (like yoga)
You should also try to avoid situations that trigger your anger. For example, if the traffic on the way to work makes you irritable, you can leave home earlier to avoid some of the cars. If that doesn’t work, you can purchase a relaxing soundtrack and listen to it while you’re on the road.
If you find that you simply can’t reduce your stress and anger on your own, it may help you to seek help from an experienced counselor or psychiatrist.
