How does this website define anger?

There are many ways to understand anger, and each model contributes something unique to the body of knowledge on anger. There is no ultimate “right” view, so it’s a matter of finding explanations that you find helpful.

The approach emphasized by Wisdom Anger Management is based in the view of mindfulness practice: that it is our not being present with, and open to, our own emotional experience that causes emotional blockage. In other words it is our unconsciousness to our state of mind and our life that keeps us locked in problematic emotional states, including of course, anger.

According to this understanding, when we slow down and start to pay attention to how we feel inside, changes can begin to occur.

What is anger management?

Anger management is an umbrella term that applies to a range of different anger management approaches. While each system is unique, there are common themes they share. Most anger management techniques include some form of the following three elements: 1. Education to help the individual understand their own anger patterns; 2. Stress reduction/relaxation processes; 3. Learning new skills on cognitive, emotional, and relationship levels.

The coinage of the term “anger management” is an unfortunate one, since the word “management” somehow implies to “maintain”. However anger management is not about maintaining one’s anger, and the idea is to bring relief to anger symptoms and ultimately to reduce the amount of anger an individual experiences.

Does anger affect health?

Scientific evidence shows that anger can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, and can cause headaches, sleep difficulties, digestive problems, and overall immune system weakness.

How much anger is OK?

Well, it really depends on you and how you want to live your life. If you experience anger once in a while and it’s not bothering anyone then you’re probably fine. But if your level of anger is causing you or other people to suffer, then something is out of balance there.

What is mindfulness?

It’s like carrying around a sack of rocks on your head. It feels good to put it down.
-Jon Kabat Zinn

Mindfulness is a meditation technique which helps you slow down and become more present in the here and now. By engaging directly with body, breath, and the thinking process, there is space for our speediness to gradually slow down, revealing the natural strength, clarity, and stability at the base of the human mind. Mindfulness has ancient roots in world spiritual traditions, and today is widely practiced in a large variety of modern contexts.

Mindfulness can be applied to improve almost any human activity and there is mounting scientific evidence on its effectiveness. Mindfulness programs are found in a broad spectrum of therapeutic contexts, in schools, hospitals, in athletic training, in business and corporate environments, and more. Whole departments at major universities are now dedicated to the study and application of mindfulness to a wide range of modern day problems.