Have you noticed that no matter how many times you remind yourself that getting angry is not good, yet when the emotion comes you are unable to control it. All through your childhood you have only learnt that ‘You should not get angry’ but the question remains ‘HOW not to get angry?’. What do you do when this thunderstorm of emotions comes?
Well, let’s understand the root cause of anger and simple tips by which you can manage it!
Understanding Anger
Have you noticed that when you see imperfection around you, you are unable to accept it? For instance when someone has done something wrong, your anger rises like a wave and subsides, leaving you shaken and sometimes with regret, isn’t it?
When we are angry, we are not aware. The first step is to realize that anger cannot remove the imperfections. Next is to know that only when we are able to accept the situation as it is, can we correct it with awareness. You might think this is easier said than done. How do you achieve a state of mind where these words become an experience? It is never easy to deal with the mind or emotions directly. That is why we need the help of certain techniques to help us.
There are three important aspects. If we address these, we can manage anger.
- Restlessness in the body and mind
- Past impressions of anger in the mind which are strong
- Lack of awareness and acceptance of imperfections (or mistakes
Let us look at these one by one.
Dealing with Restlessness in the body & mind
You are what you eat
Have you noticed that on certain days you feel very calm and relaxed, and on some days very restless? This is because the food you eat greatly affects your mind and your emotions. Certain types of food bring restlessness in the mind and body. Avoiding such food will help you reduce anger. These foods mainly include non-vegetarian, spicy and oily foods.
Experience the power of rest!
How do you feel the next morning if you have not slept well the night before? Do you tend to get angry more often? Tiredness and restlessness in your body can lead to irritation and agitation in the mind. Sleeping for at-least 6-8 hours a day is important. This ensures proper rest for the body and mind and you are less likely to get agitated.
Yogic twists are good!
Ten to fifteen minutes of yoga asanas will help remove the restlessness in your body. Few rounds of Sun Salutations could be a good way to begin with. The advantage of yoga asanas over just physical exercise is that yoga asanas are synchronised with the breath and increase your energy levels along with providing the necessary physical stretches.
Says Priyam Khanna, “On certain days when I am too stressed out, I feel a lot of stiffness in my body. This makes me very restless and agitated and I tend to get angry very easily. Yoga removes stiffness from the body and the result is a relaxed and happy mind.”
Make mind your best friend
Pranayamas such as Bhastrika and Nadi Shodhan help reduce the restlessness in the mind. When the mind is calm and quiet, you are less likely to get agitated and angry.
Your all time antidote
Taking a few deep breaths in and out will instantly help you drop anger. The moment you become angry, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths and observe the change in your state of mind. Breath releases stress and helps your mind calm down.
A 20-minute journey within
Regular practice of yoga, pranayama and attention to food help to settle the restlessness, but how to sustain a calm and balanced state of mind? Meditating regularly is your answer. Just twenty minutes of daily meditation is sufficient for the whole day.
Have you hmmed?
“Meditation keeps me calm and away from my anger,” shares Surbhi Sharma
This is another instant antidote to anger. Doing the Hmm process takes one to two minutes but will immediately make you calmer. Watch the video to learn how to do the hmmm process.
Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's wisdom talks
By Divya Sachdev. Based on inputs by Bharathy Harish, a Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Teacher.
