You might be angry that your child has once again left their room a mess before going to visit a friend. This moment without speaking will give you time to collect your thoughts. Pretend your lips are glued shut, just like you did as a kid.
When you’re steamed, you may be tempted to let the angry words fly, but you’re more likely to do harm than good. Crank up your favorite music and hum, bop, or sashay your anger away.
Let music carry you away from your feelings. Focus on details in the imaginary scene: What color is the water? How tall are the mountains? What do the chirping birds sound like? This practice can help you find calm amidst anger. Slip into a quiet room, close your eyes, and practice visualizing yourself in a relaxing scene. Neck rolls and shoulder rolls are good examples of nonstrenuous yoga-like movements that can help you control your body and harness your emotions. “Relax,” “Take it easy, and “You’ll be OK” are all good examples. Repeat that word again and again to yourself when you’re upset. Find a word or phrase that helps you calm down and refocus.
