Anger Management and Mindfulness- An interns perspective
The practice of mindfulness can be a key asset in controlling anger. If we can train ourselves to become more aware of the process of how our emotions escalate into negatively expressed anger, we can gain control of that escalation. Mindfulness is about learning to control the focus of your attention. Instead of focusing on particular aspects of a situation that incite anger in ourselves, we can learn to focus our attention on the things that perpetuate our more positive and rational thoughts, behaviors and expressed emotions.
As I sat in class on March 26, I noticed the optimism and more easygoing disposition of the group members that, in recent weeks, had been purposely slowing down and taking the time to pay attention to and appreciate the smaller details of life. Group members had begun to practice mindfulness and be more cognizant of their thought processes and of their typical patterns of negative behaviors as expressions of their angry emotions. Just this small new habit had made them overall a bit calmer during the day and helped in quelling their tendency to let things provoke their anger or agitation. Mindfulness is essentially a preventative measure; use it to pick your battles, in every situation first attempt to consider the consequences and alternative more positive reactions before acting.
Brittani Hudson-Intern
Daybreak Counseling Service
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