Don’t Get Burned by Anger

 

It’s been said that “Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” While anger is a powerful, hurtful emotion which can damage personal and professional relationships, our feelings of anger are most damaging to ourselves. There is no question that anger robs us of mental clarity, radiance and health.

 

To be fair, anger is not always a bad thing. Anger is a powerful emotion that heats us up and, if channeled effectively, can be a motivating force to propel us into action. Unfortunately, anger can often feel impossible to control, especially in the office environment. Most of the time, it seems that the only office-appropriate option to dealing with anger may seem to be suppression. Over time, however, continuous suppression of anger can turn into resentment, rage and deep sadness.

 

We all have the choice to consciously decide how to respond to each moment. You can decide to reframe your anger or let the anger control you. This is easier said than done, but try looking at moments of anger as opportunities to channel your most powerful emotions. Ultimately, a  neutral mindset will help you stabilize yourself. Reflecting on the potential triggers of your anger should also help you relax into equanimity.

 

Eventually, you try to need to cultivate acceptance for whatever or whoever is triggering your anger. While doing so may feel like a hit to the ego, there is a difference between condoning someone’s behavior and working to master your own self-control.

 

Working to mindfully re-frame our interactions with others and channel our anger takes inner patience and acceptance. To help you find some more immediate relief and set you on your way for making a lasting change, here a some tools to keep in your back pocket when you need to release anger in the office.

 

Emergency Tools for Anger Release in the Office:

 

• Instead of letting your sour face turn into permanent wrinkles, press the base of your palms into your cheek bones, and massage firmly for 1 – 3 minutes. Breathe deeply as this area is probably quite tender if you are coming down from feelings of rage!
• Close the door and try cannonball breathing. Smoothly inhale through rounded lips and strongly exhale out through the mouth like a big gust of wind. Let go with the exhale and feel the release. Continue for 3 – 11 minutes.
• Change your vibrational frequency. Put on headphones and listen to Dukh Par Har by Meditative Mind. The meaning of this soothing ancient mantra translates to “give your pain up and peace will rush into fill the vacuum inside of you.”
• For a quick detox, make yourself a cup of hot water with fresh lemon. This flush can help prevent inner unprocessed anger from forming dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, which can be a physical sign of liver-related toxic stress. According to Chinese Medicine practitioners, the liver processes emotions of anger which if released, can lead to cancer.

 

Mindfully slowing down using the emergency tools and working to channel your anger will allow you to further tune into your intuition and find peace of mind. We are not meant to be angry beings, but believe that these challenges are here to help us grow, hence they keep coming back to test us. You have the conscious will power to let go of the anger. Remember, “Blessing beats cursing” – Claudia Van Buren