Importance of Anger Management in Teenagers
Do you ever feel so enraged, so much anger that your head might explode? Are there times when you are furious about anything and everything in your life? Are there days when it feels as if everything’s slipping out of your hands? Well, take a deep breath because it happens to the best of us.
Just give yourself a gentle reminder that there’s nothing wrong with feeling mad, that anger is a completely normal emotion and feeling overwhelmed and out of control at times does not make you a terrible person. What actually matters is how you react when you’re furious. Accepting that certain things trigger you, and deciding to get control over your anger rather than letting it control you is the right way out.
Relationship between anger and teenagers
Each one of us reacts differently when we feel furious. But it is observed that usually, anger is a secondary emotion in teens. It often masks other fundamental emotions like sadness, hurt, fear, shame, and guilt. When these underlying emotions become too overbearing, teenagers tend to respond by lashing out. With all the changes happening inside us and around us, adolescence can be really stressful and frustrating. Thus for teens with anger management issues, emotional outbreaks are a regular occurrence.
Coping with anger
At times, when your mind is exhausted due to one thing or the other, you tend to find a vent and it might erupt in the form of anger. To acknowledge your feelings and learning to express them in a socially acceptable manner, here are some ways which could help you manage your anger
- Try being patient – act, don’t react
Retaining your patience when you feel angry can help you keep a check on your emotions. Whenever you feel like you’re on the verge of an outburst, try taking a deep breath so that you can act, and not react. Take a moment to yourself and observe what you’re feeling and why. Let your patience take the reins, rather than the anger inside you. - Meditate
Regular meditation and deep breathing exercises improve self-control and self-awareness, thus making it less likely for anger to build up inside a person.
- Express your emotions in the form of art
Channelizing your emotions and expressing them in various other forms can do wonders to harness your temper. Art is something that can keep you tethered to reality, even during the worst of your times. In moments when you feel frustrated and angry, try doing more of what you love. It could be painting in your art journal, sketching your thoughts and feelings, scribbling through pages, or even doodling until your mind begins to untangle.
- Write your heart out
Writing your heart out in a journal can help you unload all your sour emotions on a piece of paper. It helps you to be more mindful, about yourself and your surroundings. It can also act as a tool for self-introspection and thus measures your progress in taming your anger.
- Go for a walk or a drive
Sometimes, just treating yourself to nature’s immense beauty, letting a soft breeze brush past your face can help you feel so serene. Next time you feel trapped inside your own head, try going for a walk for a drive. And hey, keep your favorite playlist handy because sometimes, music is the only love language your heart wants to hear.
- Talk to someone you’re comfortable with
Sometimes, being vocal about your feelings can help you understand them better. Talking to a person you’re comfortable being vulnerable around can help you feel lighter, and comprehend your emotions in a better way.
- Divert your attention
There are times when all you need to do is stop dwelling on being mad. Plugin your headphones, let music heal what words cannot. Watch your favorite movie, put on your favorite TV show and maybe just get yourself that big bucket of ice cream that you’ve been craving for so long now!
Dealing with family and social changes
Growing up, teenagers often find themselves lost while trying to fit into the character that is built for them by society. During these testing times of discovering and establishing themselves, they tend to seek solace in their family members. They might even start expecting too much out of their families, and when those expectations aren’t met, it may give birth to feelings of resentment. This could morph into anger issues as they embark upon the journey to adulthood while feeling restricted and mistreated. At times, differences of opinions and lack of empathy lead to confrontations and disputes causing even more distress in the teen’s mind. In times like these, it is important to be a tad more understanding towards each other, giving each other scope and space to grow and flourish. It is important to understand that at the end of the day, you all are on the same side of the table, no matter what.
Learning how to deal with your anger without losing control will help you become your best self. Remember, it takes a little effort, a little practice, and a little patience, but you can get there if you want to.
Writer : Sanjam
