First-aid

If you are in acute pain, here are some things that may help you right now. The goal is to stop the collateral damage to your brain and body from continually thinking about The Subject (that enrages you). Each time you dwell on The Subject, you re-traumatize yourself with flashbacks and analysis (“How could he/she have done such a thing???”) These thought patterns hurt you. They may also cause you to misperceive the motives of others and hurt them. Such patterns of thought also block the flow of creative ideas, which will lead you to the most effective solutions.

Breathe Take deep breaths and let them out as slowly as you can. As you exhale, let go of all your pent up feelings. As you inhale, think peace. Do this until you feel your body calm down. Repeat, as needed.

Or try choosing four qualities that you would like to have right now, such as peace, light, love, and joy. Breathe in as you think one of those words; breathe out as you think of the next one. Breathe in as you think of the third one; breathe out as you think of the fourth one. Repeat.

If your thoughts are going in circles, here’s a relaxation meditation that can be useful: http://www.reuniting.info/download/misc/06Track6.wma

Distraction Get busy on something that is important to you, or make detailed plans about how you are going to start a project. Make sure it is unrelated to the matter that has upset you. When thoughts about The Subject come up, promise yourself that you will think about it later, and return your full attention to the task at hand.

Bathe If there is no one around to talk to, what always helps me is to take an Epsom Salts bath with Essential Oil of Lavender in it, and then when I go to bed, I sprinkle E.O. of Lavender on the sheets and pillowcase*. It has been shown that E.O. of Lavender balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and helps restore a feeling of balance and calm, and Magnesium, from the Epsom Salts, is also very soothing to the nerves and muscles, helping to relieve muscle tension.

*Real essential oils never leave a greasy or oily residue. If the essential oil you are using leaves an oily residue on cloth or paper that resembles a grease stain, the E.O. has been adulterated with something.

Keep a lid on it For now, avoid rehashing The Subject with others. Do not seek to enlist allies for your point of view, or sympathy for your outrage. There will be time for these things later. Your first order of business is to increase your own equilibrium so you stop making your pain worse. This will help you sleep better, see things differently, and think as clearly as possible.

Do something that makes you feel loved Reach out to those you know love you just for companionship (not rehashing The Subject). For example, you could spend time on pet care, or connect with the Divine through prayer or meditation, or email friends you’ve been meaning to check up on.

Keep in mind that, for the moment, talking about The Subject may backfire because you will retraumatize yourself if you rehash it – especially if your friend resonates strongly with your particular issue and fans the flames.

Take a walk As you walk, see if you can turn your mind to what’s going on around you in the present. If you find yourself thinking about The Subject, ask for a new way to see your situation, and return your attention to what is going on around you.

Journal your feelings Write down exactly what you’re feeling and why you’re angry. Journaling can release your feelings without the escalation that interaction with a human sometimes engenders.

You can never "get out" all your anger; you can only rehearse it.—Thich Nhat Hanh

Wiki categories: 
rage
first-aid