Lashing out is something that we sometimes find hard to control but we really need to try. It means that the anger we feel has gotten bigger and we lose control of it, taking it out on the people we usually feel the safest with.

We know that the half a heart journey can be a challenging one with ups and downs and it can seem unfair but letting our anger get out of control doesn’t make it any easier. Your parents/guardians and siblings are usually the people that are affected by your anger and they just want to support you.

Whilst feeling angry is a normal and completely understandable on your half a heart journey, if you feel yourself being angry more and more we need to work together to look at ways to cope with it.

Why?

When we get angry it also has a physical effect on our body. Our heart rate increases, we might see our breathing changing and our faces getting redder. We are filling our body with unwanted negative emotions and getting out of breath whilst doing it, using much needed energy.

Once in a while this is fine and normal, but if we start to feel this every day we need to look at why and what we can do about it.

If you see yourself losing control of your anger more often it might be an idea to try the following techniques to see if they can help.

• Create a soothing playlist. We are all different so we find different music relaxing. Create your own playlist so that you can put your headphones in and let your favourite music calm you down. Here’s an example of a soothing playlist that might help. 

• Do some breathing techniques. If you focus on your breathing your mind will no longer focus on your trigger or the emotions you feel that have led to anger. Here is a link to teach you some different techniques.

• Talking to someone you trust. Having a chat with someone that understands your journey and feelings can really help and feel like a weight is lifted from your shoulders. That person can be family, LHM, someone at school or any other trusted person.

• Track your triggers, start to look for anything that makes you feel angry. Does it come from nowhere or does it usually follow the same thing? If you start to understand where your anger is coming from you will be able to manage it in a better way.

If you feel like you need to speak to someone professionally about your anger, firstly well done as its very brave to recognise this. Secondly have a look at the links below to possible places that might be able to help.