Online Anger Management Activities

Anger is a potentially destructive, but natural emotion. Anger can become a problem when someone feels like it is out of control. In such a case, anger management is needed.



It is important to deal with your anger in constructive ways, rather than acting out in hurtful behaviors against self or others. There are many options for online anger management, including such activities as keeping a journal, distracting yourself as a relaxation technique and engaging in online psychotherapy.

Keeping a Journal

• Keeping a daily online journal can be a good way to identify the origin of your anger, how you react to it and ways to better manage it. Sites like WordPress and Google's Blogger can be good outlets for journaling. Make sure you turn on the privacy settings so your journal is unavailable in search engines.

  According to the American Psychological Association (APA), simply releasing the anger does very little to help control outbursts. Instead, try thinking through the problem proactively. Keep a daily journal noting the stresses in your life. If you have an outburst, try to identify what you are really angry about and ways you could improve your reaction next time.

Distraction and Relaxation

• It is important to try to distance yourself from the anger. Online, you might be able to find soothing activities that help you calm down and relax, such as browsing through picture galleries, playing online games or catching up with friends via social networking outlets.

  You could also find some online comedy or humor. According to the APA, "silly humor" can help. But rather than trying to block out your anger with laughter or resorting to scathing sarcasm, try to find humorous things online that help you cope with you situation. In other words, try to laugh at how silly an angry outburst really is.

Online Counseling

• Online counseling can be a solid way for a busy person to attend counseling. Using video communication software programs like Skype, counselors and patients can communicate "in person" through video via the Internet.

  According to online counselor Peter Strong, PhD, in an article in "Psychology Today," potential online counseling patients can use a basic checklist to help them get started with the process.

  First, make sure that you can send consultation emails for free. The counselor should communicate with you through email and get a good idea about the problems you are experiencing. According to Dr. Strong, it's also a good sign if the counselor charges after--as opposed to before--the session. Make sure you can pay online, through a venue such as PayPal. You can also read books or journal articles written by your online counselor to help you get to know their styles and philosophies.

  Finally, make sure you are getting something out of each session. Look at the online counseling session as a lesson from which you can gain anger management skills to move past the problem once and for all.