“Other vices affect our judgment, anger affects our sanity: others come in mild attacks and grow unnoticed, but men’s minds plunge abruptly into anger. … Its intensity is in no way regulated by its origin: for it rises to the greatest heights from the most trivial beginnings.”

<ul><li>Practice preemptive meditation: decide ahead of time how to deal with angering things.</li><li>Check anger as soon as possible: waiting can lead to loss of control.</li><li>Associate with serene people: moods are infectious.</li><li>Engage in relaxing activities: A relaxed mind doesn’t get angry.</li><li>Seek environments with pleasing colors: external circumstances affect mood.</li><li>Avoid discussions when thirsty, hungry or tired: you will be more irritable, and prone to escalate into anger.</li><li>Use self-deprecating humor: counteracts anger in the self.</li><li>Practice cognitive distancing: delaying responses by doing other things allows you a breather from tension.</li><li>Calm your reactions: slow down your steps, lower the tone of your voice, impose on your body the demeanor of a calm person.</li><li>Be charitable toward others: it’s a path to good living.</li></ul>

Seneca’ Stoic Guide To Anger Management

“Remember that it is we who torment, we who make difficulties for ourselves – that is, our opinions do. What, for instance, does it mean to be insulted? Stand by a rock and insult it, and what have you accomplished? If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective?”

People get angry for all sorts of reasons, from the trivial ones (someone cut me off on the highway) to the really serious ones (people keep dying in Syria and nobody is doing anything about it). But, mostly, anger arises for trivial reasons.

Understand yourself and those around you.

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Psychology

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SENECA, GREEK PHILOSOPHER