How To Handle Feelings of Frustration

After spending week after week at home with our families, it’s likely some tension and frustration has built up, no matter how well you usually get along with your family. When these frustrations happen, it’s important that we have tools that we can use to help relax us and to get us through these difficult times. Know that you are not alone in these feelings and that it is completely normal to feel an increase in anger and frustration during these times. Below are some ways that you can work to overcome these difficult emotions and not let them get the best of you during quarantine.

1.     Notice your signs of being frustrated early on so that you can take measures to prevent it from escalating. Some examples of signs of frustration and anger are: 

-       Increased heartrate

-       Racing thoughts

-       Muscle tension

-       Clenched fists

-       Feeling your face getting hot

-       Any other sign you have noticed in the past when you are about to get angry

2.     Get emotional support from friends or family that are not in your household and talk about your feelings. Talking with someone online or while social distancing is a great way to share our feelings and release any built-up feelings of anger and frustration. In a way it is a chance to “get things off your chest” so that you can move forward and feel better, without taking it out on your family members.

3.     Get some fresh air! Being outdoors and in nature has a calming effect on our bodies, and that is helpful when your body is going into a state of reacting out of anger. Go for a walk or even just sit outside for a few minutes (in the shade now that the weather is warm). 

4.     Plan ahead of time with the other members of the household to create a code word you can use when you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated and needing to take a break. Also, have a space that each person has designated as their “cool down” area where they can be left alone for a certain amount of time until the feelings of frustration have passed. 

These are just a few ideas for handling the feelings of frustration that we have all experienced before. Do you have any other tips that you can share with the rest of the Falcon community about how you have been able to handle anger/frustration in a healthy way?