Mark Twain once said, “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured”. What Twain was pointing to with this clever metaphor is that when we feel anger, we suffer consequences that far outweigh any punishment we are attempting to inflict on someone who has wronged us. Holding a grudge or internalizing pain in a way that makes us perpetually angry, only holds us back from healing after trauma. By learning to better cope with our anger and become less reactive to events and people we can’t control, we can begin to create some peace and joy in our lives. If you struggle with a short temper, there are strategies you can use to prevent outbursts and give yourself time to calm down. One of the best things to do if you find yourself in a heated argument or feeling like you might yell or say something you’ll regret, is to turn around and walk away. You can go into another room, sit in your car, or leave the house, but finding a place to catch your breath and think about how best to respond to the conflict can go a long way in preventing escalation. Breathing exercises can be very helpful in these kinds of tense situations. If your anger is constant, and stems from a long-held grudge or trauma in your past, forgiveness is the most powerful tool for starting the healing process. If the person who hurt you is still in your life and doesn’t pose a threat to your safety or mental wellbeing, forgiving them for bad choices they may have made in the past can repair and strengthen your relationship. If your anger is directed at someone who physically or emotionally abused you, forgiveness doesn’t have to mean allowing them back into your life. Forgiveness is a process that repairs the damage done inside of you, and has little to do with the person you are angry at. Finding a way to forgive allows you to let go and move on.
Many people turn to substance abuse to deal with their anger, which inevitably makes finding peace in their lives nearly impossible. If you believe you may have developed an addiction, now is the time to seek help. At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.