Learning youth anger management tips can be helpful in an age when bullying and teen violence appears to be on the rise.
Dealing with Youth Anger
Youth anger management tips can only work if both adults and youth accept that young people get angry. Many people believe the fallacy that young people are carefree and happy. While that, for the most part is true, it may be beneficial to keep in mind that young people face many different stressors, such as having a part-time job or dealing with the prevalence of prescriptive and non-prescriptive drugs.
Applicable Youth Anger Management Tips
To help you deal with stressors, consider the following youth anger management tips:
Do Some Deep Thinking
Before you do anything in terms of action, it's helpful to consider why you feel angry. Was there some specific event that caused you to feel frustrated or do you just feel angry "all the time"? This is a crucial first step because if you don't know what you are angry about then you may not be able to come up with the best possible plan to deal with that anger.
Talk or Write It Out
Everybody is different and the younger set is no exception; some teens are more verbal, while others many prefer the written word. Moreover, there's no reason, if applicable, for a teen not to do both, if he or she so chooses. In terms of utilizing each option:
- Talk it out: Find someone you can trust to discuss your anger or problem with, preferably a trusted adult. This adult can be a parent, a teacher or a school guidance counselor. It's best to turn to an adult when it comes to anger issues because the chances are very good that the adult will be able to bring his or her extensive life experience to the table, and in this way, have tips and advice that you may not think of. If no adult is available, then try talking to a friend or sibling that has a good track record of giving you sound, reasonable advice.
- Writing it out: When you find yourself feeling angry, one of the best things you can do to release that anger is to write it out. When you do this exercise, don't worry about your handwriting, spelling or even using "polite" language- just get it all down on paper. From there, you can rip the paper up to shreds and throw it away, thus "releasing" your emotions and by extension, the problem.
Consider Physical Activities
Nothing lifts your spirit and mood faster or more efficiently than a good, heart-pumping exercise session. If you enjoy sports then consider trying out for a team. If you prefer to fly solo, do so by either running around the block, hitting the treadmill, or going for a swim. Do this activity for at least thirty minutes and pretty soon, you may not even remember what you were angry about. Even better? A solution may come to you while you are excising that may be able to help you combat the root cause of your anger.
Tackle Boredom
Sometimes anger or frustration can be from something as simple as boredom. If this is the case then it may be in your best interest to take up a hobby, such as one of the following:
- Reading
- Music- listening to it, writing song lyrics, or singing/playing an instrument.
- Playing sports
Another tactic you can try to alleviate boredom and anger is to take up a cause. This can be based on an injustice or any cause that you deem worthwhile. You can also get your friends, neighbors, teachers and parent(s) involved. So, whether it's fighting cruelty to animals or making care packages for soldiers, know that you can effectively channel your anger.
Putting It All Together
If you feel angry, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and that you can do something about it. One of the very best things you can do is channel your frustration into a positive endeavor. In this way, it's easy to see the wide range of human emotions, including so-called "bad" emotions like anger, can be for a reason, and when used constructively, a good one at that.
