At times our emotions can get the best of us, causing us to lose self-control. How we react can either escalate a situation or help neutralize it. That’s when anger management comes into play. Here are three questions you can ask yourself to help you cope with your anger in a healthy manner.

1. Is my anger justified? Sometimes we have a right to be angry. Other times a bad day, our hormones, a full moon, etc., may contribute to our emotions running wild. In other words, we are only human and being moody at times is part of our nature so when you do become angry, make sure you have a legitimate reason for it.
2. What is my physical reaction? Do you clench your jaw? Does your heart rate increase? What about your breathing? Is it rapid? Learning how your body reacts when you’re angry is one of the first steps in anger management. It helps you become aware of your anger and what you can do to help control it.
3. Can I express myself clearly without getting overly emotional? Once you notice your physical response, you can then pay attention to your emotional reaction. If you’re too upset, walk away until you calm down before you say or do something to hurt the person(s) with whom you’re having an argument. It’s always best to discuss how you’re feeling when you are in a better frame of mind. Remember to let the person you’re arguing with know why you are walking away.

Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience and getting angry is okay. What’s important is how we deal with our anger. Effective communication is key to any relationship and anger management can assist you in expressing your feelings in productive ways. If you need assistance controlling your anger, we can help. Give us a call at (954) 832-3602. We are located in Hollywood, Florida.

Alicia Emamdee is the author of the YA Romance novel, “Aloha Self-Esteem?” which is created specifically for teen girls and the challenges they face with regards to their self-esteem in our society today. Written as a love story, the book provides ways to help increase self-esteem and gain self-confidence.