Managing my anger

What is anger?

Anger is a powerful emotional feeling towards a threat, being hurt or when someone feels their personal barriers have been attacked. If anger is not managed correctly, it can lead to hostile and destructive behaviour which can be damaging both to your mental health and to others around you.

Recognising your anger issues

• You feel yourself getting annoyed by menial things
• You lose your temper easily and say hurtful things to your friends and family
• You are physically destructive towards people or objects
• You take along time to become calm after being angry

Top tips

• Control your breathing – allow your breathing to slow down when you are angry, this will allow you to be calmer and take control of the situation
• Distract yourself – this allows your body e.g. count backwards
• Exercise – this is a great way to relieve stress and focus on something which will not trigger your anger

Steps for support

• Take part in a workshop run by 'the alternatives to violence project (AVP) - these workshops focus on how to learn to deal with your anger better
• Take some free tests on the British association of anger management's website – these allow you to discover more about yourself and help you to understand your anger issues
• Take part in an anger management programme – these use a mixture of counselling and behavioural therapy to get to the bottom for your issues – visit NHS funded programmes through your NHS trust or Local Mind (an independent charity run by local people)
• Look at 'The Freedom Programme' - which runs courses for people who want to change their abusive behaviour

Useful Resources

• YouTube video by the school of life – teaching yourself the skills of managing anger
• YouTube video on How to remain calm with people
• Read this booklet by the NHS on self help and managing your own anger 
• Download the CALM app – teaching you ways to relive your emotions through meditation techniques
• Read this useful information by Wellbeing Glasgow; specifically the section about 'what keeps anger going'

Contact information

• Speak to Glasgow University's Nightline Service if you want someone to talk to: - Nightline is a confidential telephone support and information service run for students, by trained student volunteers run by the Glasgow University SRC.  Available every night of term from 7pm till 7am contact them on +44 (0)141 334 9516 Website: https://www.gunightline.org/
• Talk with a university counsellor about your issues Email: studentcounselling@glasgow.ac.uk
• Or a peer supporter if you would prefer to work things through with a fellow student:  Peer supporters are students who will listen to your issues and help you to work through your feelings. Find out more here