Monday, May 11, 2009

Coping mechanisms....

Obviously anger and frustration are a part of life. We all experience those emotions and consequently, we must deal with those emotions.

What "healthy" thing do you do to cope with anger or frustration?

Let's get prayer and meditation out of the way as remedies because those are pretty obvious ones... I'm looking for hands on and tangible stuff... like punching a wall, only something that doesn't have such negative repercussions lol... like throwing a bag of marshmallows maybe? It doesn't hurt anyone, won't break anything (unless you miss the wall and hit the ceramic vase you inherited), and let's you release emotions in a physical way.

*Just as a side note, I'm not always angry and frustrated, but I gave up punching walls a long time ago and could use a good, alternative way to release those emotions. What better place to solicite ideas than a blog!?

8 comments:

erin said...

for some reason i don't think throwing a bag of marshmallows would quite rid me of my anger!

i once got really mad (at samantha) and slapped the table really hard. it hurt SOOOO bad. so the next time i got mad i think i took the couch pillows and started hitting the couch with them. they're heavier pillow so it worked out pretty well.

other than that, i cope unhealthily. as in yelling, or holding it all inside.

not2brightGRAM said...

I go for a brisk workout or walk.

Four peas in a pod said...

I talk about it. I try to confront the person that is causing the angst. Sometimes that will clear up the problem that is making me angry (miscommunication, etc), but if not, I focus on the positive things and let it go.

Things that make me angry in flashes, say like other driver's on the road, I yell and complain.


I'm trying to think deeper about this, and I can't really think of too many examples. When I was younger I would hit the wall or something, but really, now I just move on. ......

Nicole said...

I'm usually unhealthy too and yell or take it out on people who are undeserving. Thankfully as I get older I've learned to be a bit more mature in dealing with my anger and I pray scripture or search out a new idea or learn something new to get my mind off wahtever is making me angry.

Anonymous said...

usually as bad as it sounds, I too engage in the unhealthy habit of yelling or taking it out on other people...I like the marshmellow idea however, I think I'd get annoyed at myself for making a mess. I like taking a nice long bath and letting the bubbles "take me away". I also try and take several deep breaths, count to ten and think about what actually is making me mad--is it what was said or done? why did it make me mad?--I mull it over and over and over....sometimes I actually get sick of thinking about it and either A. let it go or B. talk about it with a friend-

midge said...

yep, unfortunately, yelling does the trick sometimes. Other times, if I am able to not yell, I will take a break from the situation, cry, or just try to think happy thoughts and breathe deeply to calm myself down.

Rebecca said...

Try doing push-ups. I don't personally do this, because I can't (I have the world's weakest upper body strength!) But, if I could, I think push-ups would be a great way to get out frustration. And, after you get out the initial "grrrrrr", go talk with whomever you're frustrated with.

Elizabeth said...

a few people have said yelling -- which honestly is something i do, but i don't really think is an actual coping mechanism, since we usually feel WORSE afterwards, and then not only do you have frustration to deal with, but then you feel guilt, and possibly sorrow for your actions toward whomever you've hurt.

that said, when i try to not do that, i write in my journal, go running, swimming... anything to boost the endorphins. if you have to, write an angry letter to whomever it is, or whatever it is, you're angry or frustrated at. that can let you get the angry thoughts out, which in turn, may allow you to see the irrational ones you had mixed in there :)