Mental Health

Here’s a Simple Trick to Quickly Tame Your Anger

By Corazon Victorino | Update Date: Apr 10, 2024 08:42 PM EDT
Anger Management Tips: Healthy Ways to Tame Your Temper

(Photo : Nicola Barts / Pexels)

A recent study from Japan has found a remarkably simple yet effective technique to swiftly neutralize feelings of anger.

The study, led by researchers Nobuyuki Kawai and Yuta Kanaya from the Graduate School of Informatics at Nagoya University, shed light on a novel approach to tempering negative emotions.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study discussed a technique wherein individuals write down their reactions to adverse incidents on paper and throw it away.

Surprisingly, participants experienced a significant reduction in anger levels, with some reporting virtually eliminated anger.

"We expected that our method would suppress anger to some extent," Nobuyuki Kawai explained according to Medical Express. "However, we were amazed that anger was eliminated almost entirely."

The research holds paramount significance in various contexts, particularly in workplace and personal well-being, where effective anger management strategies are crucial.

Unlike conventional methods lacking empirical support, this innovative approach harnesses the power of the written word and physical actions to modulate emotional responses swiftly and effectively.

Participants in the study were instructed to write brief opinions about social problems and then received insulting comments.

They were then asked to articulate their thoughts about the provocative event on paper.

Half of the participants disposed of the paper, while the other half retained it.

Those who disposed of the paper experienced a rapid restoration of their initial emotional state, highlighting the potency of the technique in neutralizing anger.

Furthermore, the study offered intriguing insights into the cultural tradition of "hakidashisara" at the Hiyoshi shrine in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, giving attention to rituals aimed at purging anger and fostering emotional catharsis.

The practical implications of this research extend beyond academic realms, with potential applications in high-stress environments such as business settings.

"This technique could be applied in the moment by writing down the source of anger as if taking a memo and then throwing it away when one feels angry in a business situation," Kawai reportedly said.

The researchers hope people facing stressful situations could try this technique to swiftly alleviate anger through the act of writing and discarding negative emotions.

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