Why is Life So Hard?

First, let’s discuss why life can feel so difficult. Everyone faces challenges and problems. It could be school, family, friends, or something else entirely. Sometimes, these problems pile up, making life feel overwhelming.

One reason life feels hard is that we have a lot of responsibilities. Kids have schoolwork, chores, and sometimes even taking care of siblings. Adults have jobs, bills to pay, and families to take care of. All these responsibilities can make anyone feel stressed and angry.

Another reason is that we don’t always get what we want. Disappointments can make us feel frustrated and angry.

But remember, it’s okay to feel this way. Everyone feels angry sometimes, and it’s important to know how to deal with it.

How to Calm Nerves

When you’re feeling angry, your body reacts significantly. Your heart rate increases, your muscles tense up, and you might feel like you’re going to explode. 

This is because your body is getting ready to fight or run away from danger. But most of the time, we don’t need to fight or run away. This sudden urge is a survival function of the body called the fight-or-flight response. When this happens, we need to properly assess the situation so we can feel good again. 

Here are some ways to calm your nerves when you’re feeling angry:

Take Deep Breaths:

One of the easiest ways to calm down is to take deep breaths. Breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and then breathe out slowly through your mouth. This helps slow down your heart rate and relax your muscles.

Count to Ten:

When you’re extremely angry, counting to ten can give you a moment to cool off. It gives your brain a chance to think about what’s happening and provide a good response instead of just reacting.

Practice Gratitude:

We all have something to be grateful for. When you’re feeling angry, it’s easy to focus on the things that are going wrong. But taking a moment to think about the good things in your life can help shift your mood and calm your mind. (link direct to gratitude books)

Move Away:

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is walk away from the situation. Find a quiet place where you can be alone for a few minutes. This gives you time to calm down and think about what you want to do next.

Talk to Someone:

When feeling overwhelmed, talking to a friend, family member, or teacher can help you feel better. They can listen to what’s bothering you so you feel heard and might have some good advice.

Listen to Music:

Music can have a powerful effect on our emotions. Listening to your favorite songs can help you relax and take your mind off what’s making you angry.

Ways to Calm Down

Now that we’ve discussed how to calm your nerves let’s look at some other ways to calm down when you’re feeling angry:

Exercise:

Physical activity is a great way to release anger. When you engage in physical activity, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel good. You can go for a run, ride your bike, play a sport, or even dance around your room.

Write It Down:

Writing about what’s making you angry can help you understand your feelings. You can write in a journal, draw a picture, or even write a letter to someone (you don’t have to send it). This helps get the anger out of your head and onto paper.

Do Something You Enjoy:

Doing something fun can help you forget your anger. You could read a book, play a game, watch a movie, or do a hobby you love. When you focus on something you enjoy, it’s hard to stay angry.

Practicing Mindfulness:

Try practicing mindfulness by focusing on your thoughts and feelings in the present moment without judging them. To practice mindfulness, sit quietly and focus on your breathing. You can also pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you. This helps you stay calm and grounded.

Use Positive Self-Talk:

When you’re angry, you might have negative thoughts running through your mind. Try to replace these with positive thoughts. Tell yourself things like, “I can handle this,” “I’m in control,” or “I can stay calm.” Positive self-talk can help you feel more in control of your emotions and feel better.

Why It’s Important to Release Anger?

Releasing anger in healthy ways is important for your overall well-being. When you hold onto anger, it can affect your body and mind. You might get headaches, irregular heart rate, stomachaches, or have trouble sleeping. You might also find it hard to concentrate or enjoy the things you love.

Holding onto anger can also hurt your friends, family members, and coworkers. Once you say or do things, you might regret them. Fixing what you say or do in the heat of the moment can be difficult. By learning how to release anger, you can improve your relationships with friends, family, and others. 

Pay attention to not just your own opinion. Taking the time to pay attention to the other side of the situation is important to helping you feel good. 

Asking for Help

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to calm down. Asking for help when you need it is important. Talking with a trusted family member or friend can help you shape a better perspective. 

You can talk to a parent, teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult. They can help you find ways to deal with your anger and feel better.