How do you best deal with your anger? And what happens when that doesn’t work? Some of the traditional tools for processing anger include exercise, counting backward from 10 or breathing deeply. These are all typical tools to deal with frustration. But what about when you are becoming angry with your spouse in the middle of a disagreement? What about those situations when you just can’t get a handle on it?

Anger is the most powerful emotion for most people. Anger can overtake even the most emotionally aware and laid back person. When you are overwhelmed with anger, your heart rate speeds up, blood rushes to your fists to prepare you to attack and the emotional part of your brain kicks into high gear, making rational conversation difficult, if not impossible.

Anger is often a secondary emotion. This means anger often appears right behind after another emotion, such as worry, anxiety, fear or hurt. These vulnerable emotions are typically hidden by the intensity of anger in a split second, particularly by men who have been socialized overtime to fend off and ignore such feelings.

Anger is going to happen at times. There is no getting around it. It is normal. It is human. So what are your options? How do you best deal with anger, particularly with your girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband?

1. Name it. Studies have shown that simply putting an emotional label on what you are feeling serves to reduce the intensity of that feeling. Even if you’re not quite sure what you’re feeling, simply being curious about what it is you ARE feeling helps to slow the emotional reaction. For example, you begin to get upset because your spouse has just called you a slob because your dirty socks are on the living room floor. Identify how you feel, and saying to yourself, “All right, I’m getting annoyed right now. Just take a deep breath.” The reason is that this simple act of labeling activates the prefrontal cortex (where rational thought tends to take place) and it deactivates the limbic system (where emotions arise).

2. Identify what is underneath. Ask yourself, “What am I feeling underneath my anger?” Most times, there is an emotion preceding your anger. I’ve found that 90% of the time, hurt feelings underlie my anger. Now when I begin to get frustrated, the first question I ask myself is, “Did someone just hurt my feelings?” Typically the answer is yes. When I get that ”yes” response, it is easier to come at the conversation with a more compassionate, kinder response.
For example, underneath her anger, Sierra feels as if she is insignificant and the relationship is unimportant after her spouse was late (again) for their dinner date.

The primary emotion is Sierra’s feeling that she and the relationship are unimportant. She feels “less than.” As soon as she is aware of this, she can share this with her spouse in a way that he can hear and support her. You can begin such a conversation with a soft start up by asking “Is this a good time to talk?” In this way, she can start a conversation with a much higher probability of successful resolution:

Sierra: “Is this a good time to talk about something that’s been on my mind?”

Simon: “Sure, honey.”

Sierra: “I feel insignificant when we have dinner plans and you show up late. I know you don’t intend to make me feel less than. I would really appreciate it if you would make an effort to be on time.”

By using “I statements” and focusing on the softer feelings beneath the anger, you stand a much better chance of your spouse hearing you and responding with caring and kindness. This is much preferable to leading to anger and starting a night-long disagreement. Instead, you are opening a conversation respectfully about how you are feeling.

3. Be appropriately assertive. Assertiveness lies midway on the scale between doormat and aggressive. Assertiveness requires that you know what you need (e.g., being spoken to with respect, a hug, kindness, food, alone time, together time, etc.). This is often the most difficult part of assertiveness – knowing what you need in any given moment. The second part is speaking up and asking for what you need. This part can take a little courage for those who aren’t practiced at it. However, the payoffs are huge – less anger, less resentment, less stress and more needs met!

The most successful couples have learned how to immediately identify which feelings lie beneath anger. They are skilled at putting words on the primary emotion whether that is an embarrassment, feeling put down, feeling hurt, fear, worry or disappointment. After they identify that feeling, they can bring it up to their loved one. This results in a calmer, slower startup to the conversation. It calms the emotional brain and activates the thinking brain. And perhaps most importantly, it puts your partner in the best possible position to respond positively to your needs.

For the complete inside scoop on all the happiness habits and concrete tools to create better relationships, check out Dr. John’s newest courses at the WebAngerManagement.com Shop.

Author's Bio: 

Dr. John Schinnerer has taught over 10,000 people to manage their anger, become calmer, happier and more successful. Dr. John graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Ph.D. in psychology. Dr. John provides clients with scientifically supported coaching to make the most of their personal and professional potential. Dr. John was an expert consultant in anger management for Pixar’s Inside Out. His blog, Shrunken Mind, was awarded top 3 on the web for positive psychology. His areas of expertise range from high performance, to positive psychology, to anger management. He wrote the award-winning book, “How Can I Be Happy?” Find out more about his powerful online anger management classes at WebAngerManagement.com.