Don’t blow your top …

Getting angry too easily is unhealthy. It increases stress levels and negatively impacts your relationships with family and friends.

All of us get angry occasionally; we yell, we swear, we may even punch a wall in extreme situations. But if you lose your temper frequently, perhaps you have a short fuse. Recognizing an anger management problem is a giant step in controlling it. Understanding Anger

When judging other people, it's easy to attribute their short fuse to their character, personality or upbringing. Looking at ourselves, however, we see that despite family history, circumstances of birth or life experiences, anger is simply a learned behavior that can be un-learned. You can take action against your anger issues and become healthier and happier in the process. Here are some tips that might help.

Recognize Your "Hot Buttons“

Ask 10 people what makes them really angry and you'll get different answers. For some, it's entirely situational: being stuck in traffic, facing long lineups at the checkout. Other people's stupidity is a trigger for some —the fast food employee who ignores your request to hold the mustard. Others are irritated by people with belligerent, in-your-face attitudes. What sets you off? It's important to assess your own"hot buttons" and recognize what triggers your anger.

Understand Your Reactions

Once you know what makes you angry, try to analyze why. Your frustration at " traffic delays may actually be disappointment with yourself for leaving late or annoyance at having to run that errand. The best advice on dealing with anger — and on handling interpersonal relationships in general — is that you cannot control other people's actions, You can only control your own.

Eliminate Risks

There's a major difference between being passionate about some things and snapping at everything. If you're under pressure at home or work, steer clear of situations or people that might push you to the brink. Drinking may also contribute to the problem and cause an inappropriate reaction.

Try to eliminate the types of problems that might put you at risk of an over- the-top reaction.

Get A Grip

Try to be objective. When you find yourself tensing up and angry words and actions seem imminent, refocus on the big picture.

Unless you really enjoy being a control freak, lighten up on your expectations about how other people should behave. If someone cuts you off in traffic or does some other idiotic thing that makes you really angry, let it go.

Ask yourself if it's really worth getting worked up over; chances are that it's not.


Exercise

Be active, go to the gym, play some sports — do anything that increases your physical activity and oxygen intake. It will lower your stress and reduce the risk of irrational rage.

Take A Break

Give yourself a few minutes to calm down and de-stress. Like the old saying goes: "when angry, count to 10; when very angry, count to 100." Breathe. Laugh'. Take a walk. Listen to music. Concentrate on your action plan for an upcoming work assignment.

Focus on what you need to buy for your next home improvement project or plan where you want to spend your next vacation. Take A Chill Pill

The next time you find yourself getting worked up over something, understand what's behind your anger. Gain perspective, distance yourself and be objective.

Even if you have a short fuse, you can teach yourself how to extinguish it and even learn how to avoid igniting it. Maintain control of your angry reactions and you'll reduce your stress and improve your health and well-being.

Communicate

If you continually try to overlook behavior and actions that irritate you, your frustration level will build up over time and you may find yourself blowing your top at a seemingly inconsequential comment or situation. Talk with your partner, friend or colleague before the problems or issues push you to the limit.

Share your frustrations, as calmly and rationally as you can, with your "go-to guy" (that best buddy who'll listen and not judge)

Be Flexible

Allow yourself more time to do things; leave earlier for the airport or the office, and avoid scheduling things too close together. Create a "Plan B" for situations that might not work out the way you expect.

Be Patient

Put yourself in the other person's shoes. You cannot know the circumstances that preceded your encounter with the obnoxious

flight attendant and you don't know why the phone company rep was doing such a perfect imitation of Freddy Krueger. Take the high road, be a gentleman and try to be patient.