Anger is a natural emotion. It alerts us to threats and unwanted feelings, and can motivate us to regain control of the situation which is causing them. However, it is frequently destructive when expressed. You risk being consumed by it, and losing the ability to think clearly. It is also physically toxic – recent scientific studies have found that frequent anger contributes to numerous serious illnesses, including heart disease and hypertension. It can also damage our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. How can you respond more effectively before the red mist descends, and you lose control?
Coping strategies
There are a number of ways of managing anger in the short term. These include relocating to a different environment (preferably outdoors), deep breathing, and stress relieving toys. Talking to someone sympathetic, writing it all down, and flushing out the stress hormones with exercise are also beneficial. But these may not always be practical in the heat of the moment, and you may find yourself wishing that you could get to the root of the issue – and nip the anger in the bud. After all, we know that prevention is better than cure – and hypnotherapy does exactly that.
By working with your subconscious, hypnotherapy manages the triggers which cause anger. It teaches you to be calmer and more relaxed, intercepting situations which might have caused you to flare up in the past. You can see things in a different light, with perspective on situations which caused you anger previously.
Working with trance states
Hypnotherapy actually works in the same underlying way as anger – as when you are in a rage, you are in a trance. No amount of logical reasoning can snap you out of it – you stop listening to the other person, and only believe in what you have to say. Attempts to control such intense feelings consciously are rarely effective, and do not deal with the real source of the issue. This is because they do not access the subconscious mind – the reservoir of feelings, thoughts, memories, and impulses outside of our conscious awareness; influencing all of our behaviours and experiences. Hypnotherapy accesses these resources, while using a similar kind of trance-like state – the difference being that your focus is positive and resourceful.
The five dimensions of anger – cognition, emotion, affect, communication and behaviour – can be broken down, and the pattern of escalation interrupted. Through hypnosis we can access the subconscious mind, harnessing its power to reprogramme this process.
Regaining control
Our body already has natural mechanisms to cope with stress and regulate emotions, but occasionally they need assistance. Hypnosis does just that, enlisting the help of your subconscious mind to make the necessary long-term changes – allowing you to be more relaxed and in control in situations in which you were previously quick to anger.
During the state of deep relaxation that hypnosis brings, the subconscious mind is most open to new ideas, perspectives, and positive suggestions. These include motivation and encouragement, confidence building, and a plan to control anger based on your personal triggers and reactions. If you want to give it a try, this download might help. Otherwise you might find sessions tailored to your personal circumstances more beneficial – and as a qualified hypnotherapist, I am experienced in supporting clients to make the changes they want in their lives (see my success stories). I am based in Canterbury and London; and also offer online sessions, wherever in the world you may be. Please feel welcome to call me on 07947 475721 for a free no-obligation 15 minute phone consultation to see how I can help.
Those who have undergone hypnotherapy experience new thinking and behaviour patterns. These are what allow a person to finally control their anger, and move forward with their lives.
