Anger is one of the most explosive emotions we humans have in our repertoire of feelings. How we handle anger says a lot about who we are as people.

Do we get mad and basically blow the top of our heads off, yelling and screaming like a banshee* to blow off steam? Or do we hold it inside and let it build up till one day we implode? Yes, I truly believe there are two types of angry people…Explosive and implosive!
It’s like in the 2003 Adam Sandler movie “Anger Management,” when Dr. Buddy Rydell (played by Jack Nicholson) says:

“Dave, there are two kinds of angry people in this world: explosive and implosive. Explosive, which is the most common, is the type of individual you see screaming at a grocery store cashier for not taking his coupon. Implosive, the least common, is the cashier at the store who remains quiet at his job day after day until he then finally loses it and just shoots everyone in the store. You’re the cashier.” 

Both types of anger have devastating affects on our mental and physical health. Many atrocities have occurred while in the grips of an angry rage. Therefore, controlling our anger is not just about bringing us peace of mind; it can also have long-lasting health benefits.

Sign on wall: Anger management: Group Therapy

Caption:  I really don’t belong here, it’s a stereotype… That’s all.

Dr. Lynn Ponton, MD gave some good points about Anger Management, but I want to put my own twist on them.

Some Tips for Managing Anger

• Find out what angers you, and then develop strategies to keep those triggers from tipping you over the edge.
• Chato Says: This only works if you’re mildly angry. When you’re pissed off at the world and try to develop strategies to blow up the world, you may find yourself behind bars.
• Relax and take deep breaths
• Chato Says: Don’t do this while calling your mother.  It gets weird…trust me.
• Slowly repeat calming words
• Chato Says: The calming words should not be: “I can kill them later, I can kill them later, I can kill them later…” At least don’t say it out loud.
• Visualize relaxing experiences or places
• Chato Says: Visualizing in the Technology Age is hard – just download an App for that.
• Re-examine the thing that is making you angry, perhaps looking at things from a different perspective
• Chato Says: This is hard to do when I know I’m RIGHT ALL THE TIME.
• Don’t take other people’s words personally
• Chato Says: What does that mean?! What are you saying?!  I’m too sensitive???!!!
• Listen carefully to what others have to say and take time to think before responding emotionally
• Chato says: Yeah, you need to make sure you have the right words to win your argument. So take the time to word it just right.
• Use humor
• Chato Says: Yes, this is the best way to defuse anger and I hope some of my cartoons have helped in some small way.

*screaming like a banshee: This is a idiom that actually has it roots in Gaelic folklore. The banshee wailing warns a family that one of them will soon die.

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Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

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    Last reviewed: 16 Aug 2012