7 Tips to Control Your Anger

Assalamualaikum,

Do you feel this sudden rage of anger when things don’t go as you planned or when someone isn’t just listening to you or for whatever reason?

I’m sure your answer would be - Yes.?

Anger is an emotion just like happiness or love. Trying not to be angry is quite difficult, because it’s like telling yourself don’t be happy. It doesn’t work that way. These emotions are part and parcel of human life. You have to live with them. But there is something we can and we have to control: our reactions when we are angry.?

It’s really easy to shout at someone, say hurtful words, or even worse hurting yourself in anger. But the after-effect of these reactions could be disastrous. It may sound like I am exaggerating but I am merely stating facts.?

In this article you will find activities that you can do whenever you feel angry, so that you can have a decent means to express your anger plus you don’t get to hurt yourself or anyone and you can tackle the situation later with sound mind.

1. Change your position:

The Messenger of Allah ? said: "If any of you becomes angry and he is standing, let him sit down, so his anger will go away; if it does not go away, let him lie down." (Abu Dawud 4782)

2. Drink water:

Drinking water can help you relax your nerves and calm yourself down. Hence why, during a heated conversation you are asked to drink water. So next time when you feel like you are gonna lose control over your anger, immediately drink a glass of water.?

3. Seek refuge in Allah SWT:

The Prophet ? said: “I know a word (sentence) the saying of which will cause him to relax (i.e., he will calm down). Only if he says: ‘I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast.’” (Al-Bukhari 6115).

4. Perform wudu (ablution):?

“Anger comes from satan, and satan was created from fire, and fire is extinguished by water, so if one of you gets angry, let him perform Wudu (ablution).” (Abu Dawud 4784).

5. Stay silent:

“Teach and make things easy and not difficult. When one of you is angry, he should be silent.” (Sahih Al-Jami 4027).

It is easier to express your anger by quarreling or shouting, but this can affect your relationships and honestly it affects yourself too. Just stay silent at the moment and follow all the above steps. Talk to the concerned person only after you calm down. Most of the time, our words, decisions and actions would all be wrong while we are angry. Hence it is wise to stay silent and let your anger cool down.

6. Exercise 4-7-8 breathing:?

Inhale counting to 4; hold your breath for a count of 7; exhale counting to 8. Of Course you can change the counting to your feasibility. This exercise is easier as it can be done spontaneously.?

7. Take a nap:

Although this never works for me, many people I know take a nap when feeling angry or when feeling low. This helps them energize and replenish. They are better able to pick themselves up after a nap.?

Conclusion:?

Though anger is one of the emotions, this could turn out to be dangerous to your relationships, your health both physical and mental and your well-being. Anger is the barrier to your personal and professional success. You become the strongest person you know by learning how to control your anger. Allah's Messenger ? said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." Try out all the 7 tips and know which works best for you and exercise that activity immediately next time when you're feeling angry.?

Comment your thoughts and let me know what’s your way of controlling your anger.?