The Wellspring Logo
wellness workbookWellness Workbook
How To Achieve Enduring Health and Vitality
John W. Travis, M.D. & Regina Sara Ryan
 
top_img1
top_img2
  Home  > Personal Wellness  > Letting Off Steam

Letting Off Steam

Let off some steam first. Sometimes anger leads to an internal clarity or focus that actually moves the body into positive and beneficial action - acts of bravery are the result of such focus. More often, however, anger can cloud the brain, making rationality fuzzy. It may provoke a desire for striking back with violence, more anger, or a plot for revenge.

If you're still hot" about the situation that has provoked your anger, it is best not to try to negotiate with your perceived "attacker" immediately, if it can be avoided. In many more situations than we might imagine, leaving the scene, at least temporarily, is a viable and valuable option. It is next to impossible, while still in the throes of an anger episode, to speak or listen to someone else without offensive or defensive overtones or blockages. Letting off some steam is an important intermediate step. It's certainly better than swallowing and internalizing the anger, turning it into poison or violence to yourself. A deep, rich, full breath (or two or three) may be all you need to gain a bit of perspective and to soften a tone that would otherwise provoke the other person even more.

If you are indoors, stepping outside for a change of scenery and some fresh air, or merely opening a window and looking at the sky or the trees, for instance, can be enough to alter your mood and maybe the mood in the room. If you don't have to face the other person right away, you can take a fast walk around the block, take a bath, listen to some music, stroke your cat. Perhaps you need to beat on your bed with a tennis racket, park your car on a back road and yell, or conduct a mock argument or "negativity" session with a friend. Discharging some of the energy first may clear your head and makes it easier to identify the problem. Monitor for yourself whether catharsis (yelling or beating on something) is helping you to get clear or not. If it does, use it. If it builds more anger or fear or frustration, don't do it. A hard game of tennis or other aerobic activity, or simply talking to a tree or a willing friend, are helpful ways to deal with the raw edge of anger.




<< Previous Problem-Solving Anger | Back to Feeling | Next >> Why Anger?
top_img3
links_heading
Home
right_link_sep
Personal Wellness
   Introduction to Wellness
   Self-Responsibility & Love
   Breathing
   Sensing
   Eating
   Moving
   Feeling
   Thinking
   Working & Playing
   Communicating
   Intimacy & Sex
   Finding Meaning
   Transcending
right_link_sep
Personal Wellness Lite
right_link_sep
Child / Family
right_link_sep
Global Wellness
right_link_sep
For Professionals
right_link_sep
About
right_link_sep
Contact Us
right_link_sep
right_link_sep
right_link_sep
right_link_bottom
feature_topics_heading
An Introduction
Meryn and John candidly share how they came to the field of child/family wellness from their background in adult wellness. more...
sep
Global Wellness
Global Wellness more...
sep
About the Wellspring
About the Wellspring more...
sep
right_box_top
left_box_bottom

 

top_img4
left_box_bottom
© 2018, Wellness Associates, Inc, All Rights Reserved. Home | Personal Wellness | Personal Wellness Lite | Child/Family | Global Wellness | For Professionals | Resources | About The Wellspring | Contact Us | Advertising Disclaimer | Another site & Search Engine Marketing (SEO) by webko.com.au Byron Bay - Web Design Australia