Feeling angry is ok. It’s a normal part of life.
2020 was a turbulent year, and with further uncertainties ahead of us, many men may experience extra pressures or concerns.
However it’s how we express and manage our anger that is important. Verbal and physical aggression can cause rifts in our relationships and family and may cause problems at work. Expressing anger in a violent or abusive way is never acceptable.
So how can I learn to manage my anger?
Building your self-awareness to recognise the early warning signs is the key step to managing our anger successfully according to Relationships Australia WA senior educator Oliver Brooke.
“Changes in your physiology (such as tension in your shoulders or a hot face), changes in the tone and volume of your voice or changes in your thinking, are examples of early warning signs,” said Mr Brooke.
“Anger management is not about never getting angry – it’s about learning how to regulate your emotions and express your feelings in respectful ways that are not harmful to relationships,” he said.
“Changing our behaviour can be difficult, however with the right awareness, motivation and commitment it can be achieved.
“I see people change every day, but the first step is taking responsibility for our own behaviour.”
He also recommended learning how to recognise the beliefs, thoughts and patterns that lead to you feeling angry.
“If we know ahead of time which beliefs and thoughts fuel our anger, we may be able to respond differently in our relationships.”
Relationships Australia WA’s Anger Management for Men course teaches men how to understand anger and reduce its harmful effects by developing new skills week by week through practice and group interaction.
We run face-to-face courses in Perth, Bunbury and Mandurah, and have now launched a shorter introductory online course to ensure men who are unable to attend the course in person are able learn some new anger management skills. For more information, or to book, please visit our education page here.
We also run an anger management course for women which can be found here.
Please note: these courses are not suitable for men in family court proceedings or where domestic violence is an issue. To find out more about our Domestic and Family Violence services please visit our service page