FUN AND NATURAL WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BOILING POINT
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MA. CRISTINA GARCIA-DEL VALLE
By MA. CRISTINA GARCIA-DEL VALLE
Published on 10/14/2010
Tips on how to handle anger before it even starts going out of control
FUN AND NATURAL WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BOILING POINT
One of my favorite TV shows on cable is a program called "Boiling Point". In this show the host sets up a hidden camera in locations like a restaurant or a convenience store. Then he creates a situation that will totally irritate the customer that walks in. Using a stopwatch, they count the time until that customer blows off his head. The customer that doesn't get angry or takes the longest time before he or she shows any sign of irritation wins $100. Now that's a nice way to reward someone who keeps his temper in check!
What amuses me is the way people react to different situations. I used to laugh at the way this lady started a tirade of cuss words when the store clerk kept bringing the wrong item instead of the right one she was asking for. You'll be amazed that in a matter of minutes she turned into a "monster". All that for the wrong brand of product. Some people are just so patient and understanding even if the counter person kept coming back with the wrong flavor of coffee or kept giving the wrong amount of change.
As I kept watching the show, I began to realize that I do react the same way with the some situations. I have do have a short temper and little patience to people who display incompetence in their work or take too long to just get one item right. On a bad day, I do display some of my fangs and leer at the store clerk if they are slow and I'm so in a hurry. I guess the worst thing I ever did is demand for the supervisor so I can unleash my wrath! In hindsight, that was not a pretty sight and I feel ashamed for letting those happen. I could have simply extended my patience or counted to 10 and take a deep breath!
Maybe I mellowed down with time. But what I discovered through a lot of reading is that there are a lot of simple ways you can do to keep yourself from reaching your own boiling point! Think about it! If you can keep your temper in check you avoid creating a scene where you can embarrass yourself. You avoid reactions to situations that you will regret doing later.
COUNT TO TEN. When you feel your temper rising at a situation or someone who is getting into your nerves try counting to ten...or one hundred, then take a deep breath. This helps delay your anger from getting any worse. The scientific explanation to how taking a deep breath works is that it brings a fresh surge of oxygen to your brain. That helps you think better. You will get to access the situation with a clearer head before you decide to react rashly.
DRINK A GLASS OF WATER. That helps calm you down and refreshes your mind and body. Just don't even think of aiming that empty glass at the person irritating you!
EAT A PIECE OF CHOCOLATE OR FRUIT. Stress and depression can lead to short tempers which eventually leads to displays of anger. Chocolates and fruits like bananas, grapes and strawberries contain enzymes that help produce the "happy hormone" in our brain called Oxytocin. This hormone if produced in great amounts causes the feeling of elation or a happy disposition. So at times of stress be sure you have these finger foods close by. I guarantee you will feel an instant surge of energy and a feeling of wellness after a bite.
TAKE A WALK. Walking out of a difficult situation helps. When you feel "trapped" in an argument or the situation is just so stifling that you feel your temper rising walk away from the scene! You avoid throwing a punch at that person who's irritating you or shouting words you'll regret later. Excuse yourself for a few minutes, turn around and walk away. Allow yourself a few minutes to calm down and think of the situation rationally. When you're sobered up and okay, go back to the person you were talking to and you'll realize that you can think better.
GET ENOUGH EXERCISE! Keeping yourself fit helps in maintaining a happy disposition. One of the best effects of exercise is that your blood circulation is regulated. With a good blood flow in your body, your brain gets a regular supply of oxygen. This helps you think better and stay calm longer in situations that can test your patience.
CALL A FRIEND. The reason why people "blow up" is that they keep all the tension in. If you are saddled with too much stress and problems it helps if you call your best friend or someone who has the patience to listen to you rant. Unloading all these stress factors to a willing friend helps ease your nerves.
PASS ON YOUR DUTIES TO SOMEONE ELSE. Sometimes the cause of your stress is when you have too much on your plate. If you are saddled up with too much work that you can't handle maybe it would be best to ask someone to take hold of some of your duties...even for the meantime until you get yourself together. If no one is willing to take on some of your responsibilities, then why not take your time and do the least important tasks for tomorrow. You can't do them all anyway if you're under a lot of mental and physical stress.
What amuses me is the way people react to different situations. I used to laugh at the way this lady started a tirade of cuss words when the store clerk kept bringing the wrong item instead of the right one she was asking for. You'll be amazed that in a matter of minutes she turned into a "monster". All that for the wrong brand of product. Some people are just so patient and understanding even if the counter person kept coming back with the wrong flavor of coffee or kept giving the wrong amount of change.
As I kept watching the show, I began to realize that I do react the same way with the some situations. I have do have a short temper and little patience to people who display incompetence in their work or take too long to just get one item right. On a bad day, I do display some of my fangs and leer at the store clerk if they are slow and I'm so in a hurry. I guess the worst thing I ever did is demand for the supervisor so I can unleash my wrath! In hindsight, that was not a pretty sight and I feel ashamed for letting those happen. I could have simply extended my patience or counted to 10 and take a deep breath!
Maybe I mellowed down with time. But what I discovered through a lot of reading is that there are a lot of simple ways you can do to keep yourself from reaching your own boiling point! Think about it! If you can keep your temper in check you avoid creating a scene where you can embarrass yourself. You avoid reactions to situations that you will regret doing later.
COUNT TO TEN. When you feel your temper rising at a situation or someone who is getting into your nerves try counting to ten...or one hundred, then take a deep breath. This helps delay your anger from getting any worse. The scientific explanation to how taking a deep breath works is that it brings a fresh surge of oxygen to your brain. That helps you think better. You will get to access the situation with a clearer head before you decide to react rashly.
DRINK A GLASS OF WATER. That helps calm you down and refreshes your mind and body. Just don't even think of aiming that empty glass at the person irritating you!
EAT A PIECE OF CHOCOLATE OR FRUIT. Stress and depression can lead to short tempers which eventually leads to displays of anger. Chocolates and fruits like bananas, grapes and strawberries contain enzymes that help produce the "happy hormone" in our brain called Oxytocin. This hormone if produced in great amounts causes the feeling of elation or a happy disposition. So at times of stress be sure you have these finger foods close by. I guarantee you will feel an instant surge of energy and a feeling of wellness after a bite.
TAKE A WALK. Walking out of a difficult situation helps. When you feel "trapped" in an argument or the situation is just so stifling that you feel your temper rising walk away from the scene! You avoid throwing a punch at that person who's irritating you or shouting words you'll regret later. Excuse yourself for a few minutes, turn around and walk away. Allow yourself a few minutes to calm down and think of the situation rationally. When you're sobered up and okay, go back to the person you were talking to and you'll realize that you can think better.
GET ENOUGH EXERCISE! Keeping yourself fit helps in maintaining a happy disposition. One of the best effects of exercise is that your blood circulation is regulated. With a good blood flow in your body, your brain gets a regular supply of oxygen. This helps you think better and stay calm longer in situations that can test your patience.
CALL A FRIEND. The reason why people "blow up" is that they keep all the tension in. If you are saddled with too much stress and problems it helps if you call your best friend or someone who has the patience to listen to you rant. Unloading all these stress factors to a willing friend helps ease your nerves.
PASS ON YOUR DUTIES TO SOMEONE ELSE. Sometimes the cause of your stress is when you have too much on your plate. If you are saddled up with too much work that you can't handle maybe it would be best to ask someone to take hold of some of your duties...even for the meantime until you get yourself together. If no one is willing to take on some of your responsibilities, then why not take your time and do the least important tasks for tomorrow. You can't do them all anyway if you're under a lot of mental and physical stress.