Techniques to Help Control Your Temper

Controlling your temper at all times is essential if you want to move up the career ladder, preserve a cozy atmosphere at home or resolve everyday problems. Surrendering to anger causes you to lose control of any situation. Use these techniques to control your temper and stay atop of every situation.

Taking a Timeout

• The Mayo Clinic recommends that anyone feeling they are about to erupt should take a timeout and count to 10. This will help you reconsider the situation and find the best logical solution. Do not react promptly when haste is not needed. Think carefully about what you'd like to say before taking action. If you're about to say something offensive, again stop and think. This allows you time to come up with a better alternative. When talking, stick to the issue and refrain from being too emotional.

Exercise

• Physical exercise helps remove any negative energy building up inside of you. It serves as a sort of an outlet. Aggressive sports like boxing, hockey or extreme skiing are most helpful. If you feel that things at work or at home irritate you, it may be a sign that you need to have a workout. Better still, exercise on a continuous basis. Regular physical activity will allow you to take a better control of yourself at all times.

Use "I" Statements

• According to the Mayo Clinic, using "I" statements instead of blaming or offending others will help you control your anger. For example if a child comes home late, say, "I am unhappy when you come home late," instead of, "You should come home earlier." This will ease the tension and will be more effective in making your child come home earlier (or at least will not lead to unnecessary conflict).

Use Humor

• Using humor often helps ease the tension in a conversation. When you feel that pressure is building up, try to lighten up the conversation with a joke.