You might remember, I’ve been dealing with a lot of anger since my father’s death.

I know it’s part of the five stages, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

What has made it easier is working it out physically.

Before you begin, understand two things:

  1. Understand that you’re angry. You might know exactly why you’re angry (for example, my father’s death), or you might have no clue. Whatever the case, at least recognize your anger; otherwise, you could end up causing more harm (physical and mental) than good.
  2. We often use physical activity as a distraction. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing (often, it’s a GOOD thing), but if you’re feeling especially angry, distraction could lead to injury. Worried about this? Consider taking a buddy or working with a personal trainer.

Channeling Anger Through Physical Activity

1. Running

You’d be hard-pressed to find a muscle group that won’t burn some negative energy while running.

2. Walking

A brisk walk through a gorgeous park is sure to take your mind off the anger and let you enjoy whatever seasonal beauty surrounds you.

3. Biking

You can go slow and enjoy the breeze; you can go fast and feel the energy working its way through your legs.

4. Aerobics

Aerobic exercises are excellent for burning energy. Aside from running, walking, and biking, how many types of aerobic exercises are there? Oh, let me count the ways:

  • Rowing.
  • Jumping rope.
  • Swimming.
  • Roller skating.
  • Dancing!

Remember, these are just a few examples of aerobic workouts!

5. Weights

I suggest this one with serious caution. If you’re experienced with weights and are surrounded by others who can help you in case of injury (say, at a gym), go for it; otherwise, you might want to skip weight training as anger management.

6. Yoga

Ah, the most relaxing of the bunch. Yoga helps you concentrate on your body and mind. Focus on your breathing. Let go of everything not serving you (like excessive anger). If you don’t live near a good yoga studio, try any of the many yoga videos and yoga sequence builders over at Yoga Journal, or try some yoga aps for iPhones and Androids. REMEMBER: Improper yoga poses can lead to injury.