Anything special you do to cool off when things / people are making you angry?

If you checked out my update on my chest pains you would have noticed that I have mild hypertension. This does explain my short fuse lately. I have been getting ticked off at some of the littlest things. I caught my self so mad at my HOA yesterday that I was shaking like I has Parkinsons.

To be honest I think that the recent loss of a nice sized contract, the lack of much work the last 2 months, and this hypertension is what is making my temper so short. I tell my self to calm down in my head but the thought of anything related to what is ticking me off just builds that anger and frustration. I mean I am not a lit canon waiting to go off on someone. I am just finding myself being pushed more and more by little things lately.

So is there anything you do to calm yourself down when you get mad?

This won't help, but you asked....

I punch things - usually walls or metal signs - I think I fractured a bone once but, it takes me from ready to kill someone/thing to under some semblance of control in seconds - I've only been THAT bad on 3 occasions ever but there might be a safer more socially acceptable version - punchbag maybe? Assuming, of course, your doc doesn't ban strenuous exercise.....

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Originally Posted by slaveofconvention

This won't help, but you asked....

I punch things - usually walls or metal signs - I think I fractured a bone once but, it takes me from ready to kill someone/thing to under some semblance of control in seconds - I've only been THAT bad on 3 occasions ever but there might be a safer more socially acceptable version - punchbag maybe? Assuming, of course, your doc doesn't ban strenuous exercise.....

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thats basically what i do. the worst times are when you have something electronic in your hands and you feel like smashing the hell out of it, but you still need your cell phone...

that might be why my keyboard led's keep flickering. i have been pissed of at my pc and the keyboard takes the majority of my anger.

I have an old, broken down desktop for that puropse
I throw it out the window, then whack it with a baseball bat until I feel better

Did your doctor give you anything for the hypertension i had the same problem i would get so mad my had started to hurt bad .

My doctor gave me lisinopril for the hypertension and it does seem to help which im on other meds as well it does take a little while to work what i try to do is get as far away from what ever is causing my anger.
u all else fails go to the bathroom for a min if you can it can fo wonders

Distance yourself from the situation. After an argument has reached the point were
shouting is the the only option, you will only agitate it further by participating.
Be mature, calm, and collected. Do not allow other people to ruin your day.
Above all you must never act as an intermediary. To place yourself between individuals
and/or there opinions in an aggressive situation will only lead to physical or mental injury.

I like to talk or debate about things that won't lead to serious arguments, its sometimes hard to find people who can keep a level head though. I also like to solve puzzles or think about difficult but fun questions, like about space or god or sciences or whatever works for you. Basically, I just occupy my mind on mentally demanding things so I won't have the time to think about whatever I'm mad about/at and then by the time I'm done, I'm cooled off. Works for me anyways.

It is kind of funny to go up to people and demand that they debate with you for a couple minutes too. The look on their faces makes me laugh sometimes which also helps. lol

Edit: Oooh, I also post rants on TBCS. That strangely helps for some reason. lol

-Workout
-Heavy Bag
-Go for drives
-First person shooters
-Go out with friends/girlfriend
-Watch cartoons
-Sleep
-Alcohol
-Nicotine

I drink lol

But don't take that as advice, booze sure never solved any problems.

Mebbe join a gym, take your aggressions out on some weights or a punching bag. When something is super pissing you off, do the ol hold your breath and count to 10. I have to do that at work, because I am surrounded by grosss incompitence. Especially if there is someone in particular pissing you off, wait, and think about the consequences before you pop off at the mouth. The situation may suck, but your temper, and your mouth, can sure make it worse. Trust me, the more you do it (the stopping and thinking about it part) the easier it gets. I have gotten myself in sooooo much trouble because I get mad. I have gotten way better at, well, keepin my trap shut.
Idk if any of this will help, or if it's some some pontificating dribble, but I hope it does.

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Originally Posted by Liquid_Scope_99

Did your doctor give you anything for the hypertension i had the same problem i would get so mad my had started to hurt bad .

My doctor gave me lisinopril for the hypertension and it does seem to help which im on other meds as well it does take a little while to work what i try to do is get as far away from what ever is causing my anger.
u all else fails go to the bathroom for a min if you can it can fo wonders

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He told me yesterday by phone that I was mildly hypertensive. I have an appointment Monday so he can go over all my test with me. He said there are some things of concern but I am mostly healthy.

my bad i missed the mildly part maybe cholesterol but i dont know probably will tell you to watch the soduim.
The mostly healthy part is great man .
Hopefully you can get the hypertension straight too good luck .
Mine was mild when it started then i had a surgery and they said i shot up in surgery been on meds ever since

ugh that sucks.

as for what I do to stay calm, depends on the severity of the situation. distancing yourself, counting from 10 to 1 backwards and holding your breath helps. I also like to shoot guns. lol if something is really bothering me I head up into the mountains and burn through some .22 shells cause they are cheap!

I tend not to get super angry often but everynow and then (like when dealing with the worst of customers at work) I can get pretty upset and I'll get all stressed out and start to physically shake.

When possible I like to go for a drive to cool off. I usually don't do it If I'm very angry though because I'll get more of an urge to drive in a manner some might consider risky. In my highly emotional state I'm much more likely to throw caution to the wind. Though its not my safety I worry about so much as ending up in jail for doing 100 down the highway.

Other than driving I just try to keep away from whats upsetting me, and keep my mind off of it. I have a problem with replaying things in my mind over and over obsessively and I can get my self worked up pretty easily.

Video games help, maybe just browsing the internet looking for a distraction. Really just any of the modern forms of entertainment that "dull" the mind.

One of my favorite lines to use when super annoyed or angry or whatever. I just keep telling myself this...

"Its okay, its not their fault that their mentally challenged, you can't get mad at that right?"

lol works for me anyways.

I am almost positive that he is going to tell me that my cholesterol is high. I eat a ton of eggs, red meat, and pork. I also love salt and use it on almost everything. I am trying to cut back on that some. I am also going to cut back on the energy drinks. So if you hear about a dip in monsters sales its because I have cut back.

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Originally Posted by Oneslowz28

I am trying to cut back on that some. I am also going to cut back on the energy drinks. So if you hear about a dip in monsters sales its because I have cut back.

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I completely gave up Dr. Pepper three years ago. It was not as hard as it sounds. The doctor told me that I was diabetic and gave me a horrible list of things that would happen if I didn't get it under control. I was motivated because I did not want certain lower extremities to fall off or stop working. Fortunately I lost 60 pounds and eliminated the need to take that dreaded diabetic medicine. Even though I do not need medicine anymore, I still need to follow a diabetic diet to maintain my condition.

For anger management, I mentally count to ten if I feel the need to snap at someone.

It doesn't help much when the situation is right NOW, but I've got a fire pit in the yard. That's my therapy/de-stess time. I'm out there every night that I can with a fire going, sometimes with adult beverages. Much more relaxing to sit back with a fire and watch the stars than it is to watch TV. When it's the middle of the week I just tell myself that friday isn't that far away.

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Originally Posted by msmrx57

When it's the middle of the week I just tell myself that friday isn't that far away.

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I like to break down large fragments of time in to a number of smaller fragments and it makes it easier to handle. Its kinda like lying to yourself I guess but oh well. For instance. I don't work a week, i work five days. I can handle five days of work. You can use this with any chunk of time and just try not to focus on the larger measure but instead the smaller fragment that your working on right now.

Idk, it works for me.

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Originally Posted by Oneslowz28

I am also going to cut back on the energy drinks. So if you hear about a dip in monsters sales its because I have cut back.

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That's tough, but it's worth it. Not only will you feel/sleep better, you'll save a bunch of money. :) I'm sure that Partylikearockstar is keeping the energy drink companies afloat anyways.

As for anger management, I put on some running shoes, and go for a walk. No matter when or where, if I get angry enough, the only solution for me is to walk away. I've punched more holes in walls than I'd care to admit, and I've destroyed things and instantly regretted it. I can't go for a drive, because my road rage is probably the worst anger I get.. if I'm already in a bad mood, I just look for a fight.

Ipod, shoes, walking trail. Or running.. but that's not a good idea if you are having heart troubles. Maybe try some walking meditation? (Off the street of course.. haha)

I just got back from the Dr. Just like was predicted I have high cholesterol, mild hypertension, and am about 40lbs overweight. He set me up with a nutritionist, gave me 2 prescriptions, and I have to come back once every 2 months for the next year for follow up blood work.

Personally what has helped me in the past was to get the "satellite" view of things. You have to view just about everything you do in life in this manner. I also always try to smile and think positive thoughts. When confronted with a situation that may piss me off, I just have to think... Does it really matter? Will I remember this in a year and will it matter then as well.

I have also used this strategy to get even (yes I am a cold calculating bastard behind my nice guy attitude). I have thrown out the devil's advocate question to get someone to think about what they are saying, even when I agree with them. Staying calm in any sort of discussion (heated or not), gives you one step up.

You really have to look at the consequences of your actions (or reactions) and act accordingly. What will it really gain you if you yell at someone or let them get to you? This may mean that you have to control your emotions and take that second or 2 before responding.

Fraaack, I wish I coulda taken your advice guys. I just raged about about an hour ago and smashed my laptop in. Ugh, I was doing so good to, haven't broken anything in a really long time, then of all things, I smash my laptop. I just don't know what happened, I had an alarm on it to wake me up and it locked up in the middle of the alarm going off and I just snapped. Now I have to connect to the net through my GF's parents desktop until I can get wifi on my desktop upstairs. Luckily it was a cheap netbook and not something expensive. ugggh. I hate my uncontrollable anger sometimes. I think I freaked my girl out to. She's never seen my snap (been together for over 3 1/2 years) What a great way to start the day.