Use Your Brain in New Ways to Control Anger!

Anger Brain Serotonin Strategies

Is Anger Controlling You?

Do you kind of swallow anger as I used to because anger’s not socially acceptable? Or are you the angry young man or woman who has never learned to control anger? What does all this anger do to us and how can we change our reactions for better outcomes?

Anger destroys your health. Recent news shows that anger can actually set the stage for injury in young men. Researchers found that among more than 2,000 patients treated in an emergency room for broken bones, cuts and other traumas, bouts of anger appeared to boost the risk of injury by up to 8 times. Recent research at Johns Hopkins University shows that angry young men are more prone to heart disease and that 35% of the 600 men in the study had cardiovascular disease by age 56.

Anger can set up a vicious cycle for you. Clinician Lee Scheingold explains, “People who express too much anger often end up feeling alone and distant from others because their sullen, hostile, or sarcastic behavior can make people turn away from them. A vicious circle is then set up: they feel angry because of the way others are reacting to their anger.” What to do deal with anger immediately and begin to break such an imprisoning cycle?

Change Your Focus: Rewire Your Brain to Bring Immediate Well Being

Look for opportunities to change immediate focus: Be aware when you feel anger welling up inside and begin to use brain based strategies that bring serotonin to replace the cortisol that floods your brain with anger. Serotonin is a hormone that you can actually help bring into your brain if you focus on implementing strategies that you can use today.

Here are practical strategies to help you step out of the situation by using different intelligences in your brain:

1. Leave the room and take a brisk walk. As you do so, find one thing in nature that represents a new goal you want to pursue.
2. Breathe deeply for two minutes and picture an activity you really enjoy.
3. Doodle pictures of what "is" and what "can be" for you.
4. Create a pro/con chart listing what does not work and positive actions that could help you change. Then act on it. Good intentions take you nowhere.
5. Develop a “Flip Side” approach to the negatives that come to you daily at work.
6. Forgive and Move On: Revenge is sweet, but letting go of anger at those who wronged you is a smart route to good health. Your focus changes when you think of new pathways for your life and let go of the wrongs done to you. Talking to a friend who has life together or a counselor about the changes you want to make will provide a support system as you take your first steps.

Begin here and help your brain begin rewiring a new you – a you with more to give yourself and others, too! Don't give up if you fall back. That can happen at first, but keep focused and take daily steps on your new path!