How to Recover from an Anger Attack

SPECIAL OFFER: - Limited Time Only!
(The ad below will not display on your printed page)

SAVE EVEN MORE! Say "Yes" to Fitness® Magazine today and get a second year for HALF PRICE – 2 full years (20 issues) for just $15. You also get our new Fitness Band and Total Body Express Band Workout ABSOLUTELY FREE! (U.S. orders only)

Email:

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

100% Money-Back Guarantee: You must be pleased, or you may cancel any time during the life of your subscription and receive a refund on any unserved issues – no questions asked. Fitness® Magazine is currently published 10 times annually – subject to change without notice. Double issues may be published, which count as 2 issues. Applicable sales tax will be added. E-mail address required to access your account and member benefits online. We will not share your e-mail address with anyone. Click here to view our privacy policy.

« Back |

How to Recover from an Anger Attack

Expert advice on how to control your anger and manage your reaction, from Perry Buffington, PhD.

By the Fitness Editors

Question: "My cube mate called my haircut a mullet. I'm furious! How should I deal with my anger?"

Answer: You could snidely point out how her ballet flats accentuate her cankles, or you can chill things out by reminding yourself that anger is a biological response, not just an emotion, suggests Perry Buffington, PhD, author of Cheap Psychological Tricks (Peachtree, 1996). "Humans are programmed to react with anger as a means of self-protection," he says. "Your body doesn't differentiate between a blow to your pride or a matter of life and death, so when we feel offended, we're wired to react as though it's a threat to our life."

Instead of laying a verbal smackdown, think about the possible motivations for her behavior. Then "count to 10 and ask yourself whether this is a true threat," says Buffington. Getting some perspective makes it easier to remember that although your feelings may be hurt, it's not going to kill you.

Originally published in Fitness magazine, January 2006.