Anger Management Classes-They could save important relationships
Anger is one emotion we all have. For some of us anger is
the primary way we express our needs when we get upset. What is interesting
about anger is that it is usually a response to some other emotion we are
having. Really give it some thought. Think about the last time you were really
upset. Were you upset because someone hurt your feelings? Perhaps it was
because you felt blamed or were minimized? Anger is usually a secondary
response on the "emotional food chain". There is usually some other
emotion that precedes it. Learning to understand our true feelings that get
masked by anger is the first way to understand how we can express our anger
more effectively.
Taking a class in anger management can be really
helpful. Anger management classes are not just for people that broke the law
and get sent by the courts. Anger management classes are used by corporations,
managers, law offices, school personal, families and volunteer. Most good anger
management classes teach skills that many of us just don't learn in school or
in life. You will learn better ways of communicating so that your true feelings
and needs get expressed.
Most anger management classes teach skills in
assertiveness. Learning to be assertive will help get your feeling, needs, and
mood expressed in the most appropriate way. When we speak assertively, we do it
in a reasonable tone, we don’t use profanity, we make good eye contact, and we
feel good about ourselves. The opposite of being assertive is being aggressive,
passive-aggressive or just passive.
You will also learn ways to reduce stress. When we
reduce stress we feel better. We also help increase our life expectancy because
high levels of stress over prolong period of time can have damaging effects to
our bodies (and our minds). Anger management classes will often teach you the
skills you need to identify and mange stress in ways you never thought
possible.
Most anger management classes also teach skills in
increasing our empathy. When we increase our empathy we are better able
understand the feelings other people might be experiencing. Becoming more
empathic gives us the ability to not get as frustrated with others and have
better insight into our own feelings. Many anger management classes teach these
skills. They are valuable because they help us become better working with
others as well as having stronger more rewarding relationships.
Other important areas to look for when taking a anger management class include
skills in forgiveness, improving self-talk and optimism, learning to respond
instead of react, and improving judgment and impulse control. These important skills should be taught in an
quality anger management program.
The bottom line is, don't wait to have anger ruin a
valued relationship. Anger is an emotion that can be understood. Bad behavior
can be unlearned and replaced with more positive and appropriate actions. The
more you can understand about your own anger the faster you will be able to do
something about it. Most people let anger control their lives. In many cases
anger has ruined lives by destroying relationships and dissolving partnerships.
Learning skills in an anger management class could change your life for the
better. Enroll in a class and try it out. Getting the help you need could save
you more than realize.
Bio:
Dr. Ari Novick is the founder of AJ Novick Group, a
leading provider of anger management classes and training. He is the co-author of two popular client
workbook in anger management and is an adjunct faculty member at