Coping with Anger when Parents Divorce
from Straight Talk about Divorce
by Kay Marie Porterfield
Take time out. Remove yourself from the situation or the person you are angry at by walking away and doing something else. You don't need to slam the door, just tell the person you are willing to talk later when you calm down, and then leave.
Get some physical exercise. Walking, running, swimming, any physical activity causes your brain to rease endorphins, brain chemicals that act as natural tranquilizers. Not only will you improve your mood, but physical exercise will help keep your body healthy.
Find harmless ways to release your anger. Sometimes people are so mad, they say and do things they later regret. If you think that is going to happen to you, write your feeelings down in a journal or write a letter to the person you are angry with, then rip it up.
Talk your feelings out with someone who isn't directly involved in the conflict. By speaking to friends, teachers, school counselors and youth group leaders about the way you feel, you allow yourself to work past the anger toward solutions for what is upsetting you.
When you feel ready to talk about your anger to the person you are angry with, do it without blaming or name-calling. Instead, take responsibility for your feelings by saying "I feel angry about it," not, "You make me feel angry about it."