RECOGNIZING ANGER
Anger can express itself in a variety of different ways. When thought occurs our body gives signs that something is wrong. Our bodies react to anger. Those thoughts can make our bodies feel hot; we can experience rapid heartbeat, perspiration, watery eyes, and a variety of other things. More importantly, anger distorts our thinking. Can you think of anything more destructive than actions taken out of anger?
Scenario:
Person cuts you off in traffic.
Body Reactions:
Your heart starts to race. Your head starts to pound. Your hands grip the steering wheel tighter. You start to perspire.
Thoughts:
How rude. Who does he/she think he/she is? I know he/she saw me. He/she probably drives like that all the time. I bet he/she doesn't care about anybody on the highway but himself/herself. People like him/her need to be taught a lesson.
Actions:
You blow your horn. You start to drive recklessly to catch up to the car that cut you off. You let down your window. You start to yell at the other driver demanding his/her attention. You're not paying any attention to the solid red traffic light or the car sitting stopped in front of you. BANG!!! You rear end the car in front of you.
Now You've Done it!!! The person who you rear ended jumps out of his/her car and starts to yell and scream at you. Didn't you see me? What were you thinking? Don't you know how to drive? You start to yell back – the whole time blaming the person who cut you off for the entire incident. The person who is now long gone. Had he/she not cut you off and made you drive recklessly in an attempt to get his/her attention to let him/her know what he/she just did to you – none of this would have ever happened.
We all have the potential to become angry. What we need to do is learn to control the thoughts through daily preparation, therefore reducing the physical reaction to negative situations.
Let's repeat the scenario
Scenario:
Person cuts you off in traffic
Body Reactions:
Your Head starts to pound. Your heart starts to race. Your hands grip the steering wheel tighter.
Thoughts:
How rude. I guess some people just don't pay close attention. Glad that didn't turn into an accident.
Actions:
Enjoy the rest of your day.