Many people unknowingly hold onto common myths about anger that can prevent them from living calmer and more fulfilling lives.
This episode of the Anger Management podcast reveals five pervasive myths around anger, such as the belief that anger is simply a part of who we are or that we can't control it. By understanding and correcting these misconceptions, listeners will learn how to take charge of their emotions and manage their anger effectively.
The conversation highlights practical strategies for recognising early signs of anger and challenging unhelpful thoughts that fuel it. Tune in to discover how you can rewrite your narrative around anger and regain control over your anger.
Key Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode:
For free resources on how to control your anger, visit angersecrets.com
To control your anger now, visit angersecrets.com/course/
Do you think that being angry is just part of who you are?
Alistair Dewes:Or perhaps something that you can't control?
Alistair Dewes:Or maybe you think that people and situations constantly make you angry and it's out of your hands?
Alistair Dewes:If so, what would you think if I told you that these beliefs are myths that might be holding you back from the calm, happy, and productive life that you deserve?
Alistair Dewes:In today's episode of the Anger Management Podcast, we'll dive deep into the five most common myths about anger that keep people trapped in a cycle of frustration and regret.
Alistair Dewes:Stick around, because once we shatter these myths, you'll discover that taking control of your anger is not only possible, but can happen far faster than you may think.
Alistair Dewes:If you're ready to finally start living a life with less anger and more peace, this episode is for you.
Alistair Dewes:Hello, and welcome to episode five of the Anger Management Podcast.
Alistair Dewes:I'm your host, Alistair Dewes, and over the last 30 years, I've taught over 15,000 men and women to control their anger, master their emotions, and create calmer, happier, and more loving relationships.
Alistair Dewes:On this podcast, I combine my 30 years of anger management experience with the power of artificial intelligence to share with you some of the most powerful tools, techniques, and strategies I've taught my clients over the years to help them control their anger and live calmer, happier, and more peaceful lives.
Alistair Dewes:Today, I've asked my AI assistants, Jake and Sarah, to share a deep dive into the five most common myths about anger that keep people trapped in a cycle of frustration and regret.
Alistair Dewes:Together, we'll shatter these myths and show you how to take control of your anger once and for all.
Alistair Dewes:Make sure you stick around to the end of this episode, where I'll share some final thoughts on this episode and let you know how to access my help to control your anger once and for all.
Alistair Dewes:With that said, let's get started.
Speaker B:Welcome, everybody.
Speaker B:We're going to be diving deep today into some common myths about anger.
Speaker B:Those sneaky little lies that we often tell ourselves that actually can make things worse.
Jake:You know, these myths are incredibly common, and they really, really can hold people back from living a calmer, more fulfilling life.
Speaker B:Okay, so let's jump right in.
Speaker B:You know, one of the biggest myths I hear all the time is I'm not that angry.
Speaker B:People downplay their anger or disguise it as something else, like passion or intensity.
Speaker B:Why is that such a problem?
Jake:Well, think of it this way.
Jake:Anger doesn't just vanish when we ignore it.
Jake:It's like trying to stuff a beach ball underwater.
Jake:It's going to pop up somewhere else.
Jake:That Unexpressed anger can build up and manifest in all sorts of unhealthy ways.
Speaker B:What we were saying is it's kind of like a debt that keeps accruing interest until you finally deal with it.
Jake:Exactly.
Jake:You might start experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or even high blood pressure.
Jake:Or that hidden anger might seep into your relationships, causing tension, resentment, and conflicts you don't even realize are connected to your anger.
Speaker B:And I bet a lot of people don't even connect those dots until things reach a breaking point.
Speaker B:So the takeaway here is don't wait until things explode.
Speaker B:Acknowledging and addressing your anger early on is crucial.
Speaker B:But that brings us to another myth.
Speaker B:I wanted to tackle the idea that anger is just a normal emotion, something everyone experiences, so why bother trying to control it?
Jake:Right?
Jake:The inevitability myth.
Jake:It's true that anger is a natural human emotion, but here's the key.
Jake:We have more influence over it than we might think.
Jake:It's not about never getting angry.
Jake:It's about understanding why we get angry and learning how to manage it effectively.
Speaker B:So what you're saying is it's not the situation itself that makes us angry, but how we think about it.
Jake:Precisely.
Jake:Think about it.
Jake:Two people can be stuck in the same traffic jam, but they'll react in completely different ways based on their thoughts.
Jake:One person might be fuming, thinking, this is ruining my day.
Jake:These idiots can't drive.
Jake:While the other person might shrug it off, thinking, well, I can't control this, so I might as well enjoy some music and relax.
Jake:Same situation, different thoughts, different reactions.
Speaker B:Wow, that's such a simple but powerful example.
Speaker B:It really highlights how our thoughts play a key role in shaping our emotional responses.
Speaker B:But when it comes to actually managing anger, many people hit a wall.
Speaker B:They believe that learning to control anger is just too difficult.
Jake:Ah, yes, the hopelessness myth.
Jake:This one is a real roadblock for a lot of people.
Jake:But here's the truth.
Jake:Controlling anger isn't about suppressing it completely.
Jake:It's about learning to manage it effectively.
Jake:And you can actually make significant progress in a relatively short amount of time.
Speaker B:Really?
Speaker B:How quickly are we talking?
Speaker B:Because I think a lot of people would be surprised to hear that.
Jake:In my experience, people can start seeing real changes in their anger patterns in as little as 21 days.
Jake:And it all starts with two simple steps.
Jake:Awareness and thought.
Jake:Challenging.
Jake:It can be that quick?
Jake:Really?
Jake:These aren't monumental changes.
Jake:It's just a matter of learning to approach anger in a new way.
Speaker B:So tell me more about these two steps.
Speaker B:Let's start with awareness.
Speaker B:What exactly does that involve?
Jake:Awareness is all about tuning into your body's signals.
Jake:When anger starts to rise, it's like having a built in anger alarm system.
Jake:But you have to learn to recognize the signs.
Jake:Do you start to feel your heart racing?
Jake:Do your muscles tense up?
Jake:Do you get that feeling of heat in your face?
Speaker B:It's like your body is trying to tell you something's off, right?
Jake:Exactly.
Jake:It's giving you a heads up that anger is starting to build.
Jake:And that's your cue to pause and take a moment to collect yourself before you react.
Speaker B:Okay, that makes sense.
Speaker B:So we're becoming more aware of those early warning signs.
Speaker B:What's next?
Jake:Then comes thought challenging.
Jake:It's about taking a step back and examining the thoughts that are fueling your anger.
Jake:Ask yourself, are these thoughts helpful?
Jake:Are they based on facts or are they just assumptions?
Jake:Are they making the situation better or worse?
Speaker B:You're basically saying we need to become a bit more objective about our own thoughts, right?
Jake:Yeah.
Speaker B:Not just blindly accepting them as truth.
Jake:Exactly.
Jake:Let's say, for instance, you're at the grocery store and someone cuts in front of you in line.
Jake:You might immediately think, this person is so rude.
Jake:They did that on purpose to disrespect me.
Speaker B:I think we've all been there, right?
Jake:It's a common reaction.
Jake:But if you pause and challenge those thoughts, you might realize that there could be other explanations.
Jake:Maybe they didn't see you.
Jake:Maybe they're in a rush for an emergency.
Jake:Or maybe they're just having a really bad day.
Speaker B:So it's about choosing a different story, a more compassionate interpretation of the situation.
Speaker B:And that can actually change how we feel and how we react.
Jake:Precisely.
Jake:And that brings us to another myth that's a real culprit when it comes to feeling powerless over our anger.
Jake:The blame game myth.
Jake:You know, the idea that other people make us angry.
Speaker B:Oh, that's a big one.
Speaker B:He made me so mad.
Speaker B:Or she just pushes my buttons.
Speaker B:I think we've all said those phrases at some point.
Jake:We have, haven't we?
Jake:It's easy to fall into that trap of blaming others for our emotional state.
Jake:But here's the thing.
Jake:It's incredibly disempowering because it takes away.
Speaker B:Our sense of control, right?
Jake:Exactly.
Jake:While external factors can certainly trigger us, it's ultimately our interpretation and reaction that create the anger.
Jake:Let me give you an example.
Jake:Imagine your partner comes home from work and seems completely withdrawn and distant.
Jake:Your immediate thought might be, they're ignoring me.
Jake:They don't care about me.
Jake:And that fuels a wave of anger.
Speaker B:Oh, been there, right?
Jake:But what if instead of assuming the worst, you took a different approach?
Jake:What if you pause and considered other possibilities?
Jake:Maybe they had a stressful day at work.
Jake:Maybe they're not feeling well.
Jake:Or maybe there's something on their mind that they need time to process.
Speaker B:It's like we're choosing to respond with curiosity rather than jumping to conclusions and.
Jake:Getting angry and compassion, both for yourself and for the other person.
Jake:Because when you recognize your role in creating your anger, you take back control.
Speaker B:That's powerful stuff.
Speaker B:We've debunked some pretty pervasive myths today.
Speaker B:We've talked about downplaying anger, anger, believing it's inevitable or uncontrollable and blaming others for how we feel.
Speaker B:So we spent this episode shattering some of those stubborn myths surrounding anger.
Speaker B:But for our listeners who are ready to ditch the blame game and take control, where do they even begin?
Jake:Well, the great news is you don't have to figure it out alone.
Jake:There's a wealth of resources available to help you understand and manage your anger effectively.
Jake:And one of the best ways to start is by equipping yourself with knowledge.
Jake:Angersecrets.com is packed with information, tools and techniques to help you on your journey.
Speaker B:What kind of resources can listeners find.
Jake:On angersecrets.com youm'll find articles, videos, and even a free training on breaking the anger cycle.
Jake:It's a great starting point for anyone who's ready to make a positive change.
Speaker B:Fantastic.
Speaker B:So listeners, head over to angersecrets.com and take advantage of that free training.
Speaker B:It's a valuable first step toward understanding the mechanics of anger and developing those healthy coping strategies we talked about.
Jake:And remember, the benefits of mastering your anger extend far beyond just feeling calmer.
Jake:It can lead to stronger relationships, reduced stress, and a greater sense of overall well being.
Speaker B:It's like a ripple effect, right?
Speaker B:Those positive changes in one area of your life can create a cascade of positive changes in other areas as well.
Jake:Absolutely.
Jake:So to wrap things up, I want to leave our listeners with this thought.
Jake:What if you could rewrite your own anger script?
Jake:What if you could choose a new narrative where you're in control of your emotions, not the other way around?
Speaker B:That's such a powerful question to ponder.
Speaker B:It's time to ditch those old disempowering myths and embrace a new understanding of anger.
Speaker B:Thanks for joining us.
Speaker B:Until next time, stay curious.
Alistair Dewes:Okay, thanks for tuning in to today's episode of the Anger Management Podcast.
Alistair Dewes:I Hope you have found this deep dive into the five most common anger myths helpful and informative.
Alistair Dewes:Remember that learning to manage your anger takes time and effort, but it is possible with the right tools and support.
Alistair Dewes:Before we end this episode, let me summarise the main points of this deep dive.
Alistair Dewes:In today's episode, Jake and Sarah focused on five common anger myths that often keep people stuck in cycles of anger and frustration.
Alistair Dewes:These myths Myth 1 I'm not that angry.
Alistair Dewes:Many people downplay their anger, not realizing the hidden impact it has on their health and relationships.
Alistair Dewes:Denying anger only allows it to grow, often causing long term damage.
Alistair Dewes:Myth number two is that anger is just a normal emotion.
Alistair Dewes:As Jake and Sarah said, it's common to think anger is just part of life, but it's actually your thoughts that create your anger.
Alistair Dewes:Changing your thoughts allows you to reduce and control your anger.
Alistair Dewes:Myth 3 Controlling anger is hard.
Alistair Dewes:Managing anger doesn't have to be difficult or require years of therapy.
Alistair Dewes:Recognizing your early warning signs of anger and shifting unhelpful thoughts and beliefs can make a huge difference in a short time.
Alistair Dewes:Therapy is the only solution.
Alistair Dewes:Again, as Jake and Sarah said, while therapy can help, there are practical strategies to manage anger without counselling.
Alistair Dewes:Many people experience rapid change simply by learning some simple, effective and powerful tools to control their anger.
Alistair Dewes:Other people make you angry.
Alistair Dewes:The final myth that was discussed was the idea that other people make you angry.
Alistair Dewes:This is misleading.
Alistair Dewes:Anger comes from within and especially from your thoughts.
Alistair Dewes:Realizing this gives you the power to change your thoughts and choose how to respond to others.
Alistair Dewes:Okay, I hope you found this episode helpful.
Alistair Dewes:If you did, please take a moment to follow the Anger Management Podcast on your favorite podcast app and if possible, leave a quick rating and review.
Alistair Dewes:This helps other people find this show and start their own journey to a calmer, happier and healthier life.
Alistair Dewes:Remember too, for free support on how to control your anger, including access to a free training or a free 30 minute anger assessment.
Alistair Dewes:Call with me, visit my website, anger secrets.com or if you would like to begin your anger management journey right now, simply visit angersecrets.com course to enroll in my powerful online course, the Complete Anger Management System.
Alistair Dewes:I'd be honoured to help you on your anger management journey.
Alistair Dewes:Finally, remember, you can't control other people, but you can control yourself.
Alistair Dewes:I'll see you in the next episode.
Alistair Dewes:Take care.
Speaker B:The Anger Management Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of counseling, psychotherapy or any other professional health service.
Speaker B:No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by this podcast.
Speaker B:If you have mental health concerns of any type, please seek out the help of a local mental health professional.