Getting Past Angry

Many students state that they have anger control problems. Some do, but some do not. Getting angry is not an anger control problem. We all get angry and anger is a normal emotion. There is no way to avoid anger. However; how we deal with anger can be a problem. Hurting someone else, ourselves, or property is not a way to deal with anger. There are some simple ways to help a person get past anger. Not all people want to move past it though. They like the attention they receive when they get mad and those people have a very difficult time moving past anger. For those who do want to move past it:
Get your mind off what is making you angry. Dwelling on it only makes it worse.
Talk about it. Keeping angry feelings inside will make you "blow like a volcano" eventually. Talking about it does not mean yelling at someone. Use I messages. (ex. I feel angry when you talk about me behind my back, I feel upset when you blame me for things I don't do...)
Do something you enjoy doing. For younger students this can mean playing or drawing. For older students video games or listening to music. Keeping a journal seems to be especially helpful for teenage girls. Read a book, go for a walk, talk to a friend or clean out a closet. It's all better than trying to hit a wall. Learn to manage your anger before your anger manages you. Many people who do not learn to manage their anger end up paying for it in the end. Teach your child to use their words, not their fists. You can't fight your way out of every situation in life that makes you angry.