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Anger can be expressed in
three ways -
1. Outwardly, towards others, yelling and screaming at people, be
they significant others, family members, bosses, work associates or
strangers. Or we direct our anger towards the environment, at
objects, things that we can kick, punch or smash to pieces. This
kind of behaviour is destructive anger and it fails to solve any
problems.
2. We suppress our anger, internalizing it. This is also
destructive. Without being able to express the reason for our anger
we may use other strategies to get back at people. For example,
passive aggressive behaviour, being sarcastic, critical or becoming
hostile. All this does little to aid healthy relations between us.
Also, it is a well known fact that unexpressed anger affects our
health, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks,
strokes, drugs and alcohol abuse.
3. To learn to manage our anger and use it constructively to solve
problems by positive solutions. Unless we learn to control our anger
then it controls us. Anger is an emotion. It is a learned response
to situations that provoke us. We have chosen to express it, despite
the fact that we may blame other people for making us angry. We have
to remember that like everything else anger is a choice and we are
responsible for the behaviours we choose in response to the emotions
we feel.
Even though we are angry we must learn to communicate love and
respect to those involved, showing that we still love and value the
relationship. When anger is recognized and viewed with the intention
of strengthening a relationship, instead of threatening it, then it
can actually help encourage intimacy and growth. |
