2340 Apple FEB MARCH 2016 MkII FINAL PROOF2

AFFILIATE PARTNER FEATURE
COUNSELLING NORTH LONDON
Fight or Flight?
By Aryeh Sampson
If you’ve ever exploded with anger and
regretted it shortly afterwards or felt
yourself simmering with resentment for
days, you’ll know how harmful these
feelings can be.
Anger can wreak havoc on relationships and have a destructive
effect on yourlife.
Research has shown anger to be
linked to an increased likelihood
of heart disease, stroke, cancer
and the weakening of the
immune system
As a psychotherapist that specialises in anger
management, I have seen three key approaches play a
vital role in helping to control anger.
MANAGING ANGER 1 GAINING CLARITY
In the heat of the moment we often become irrational,
blowing things out of proportion. Once we feel calmer,
it’s important to look rationally and objectively at the
anger-provoking situation. By changing the way we
think about the situation, and seeing it from the other
person’s perspective, we can change our emotional
reaction to it.
MANAGING ANGER 2 COMMUNICATION
When a person feels angry two responses are
common: fight (explode outwardly) or flight (retreat
inwardly). Learning to communicate one’s feelings in an
open, non-confrontational way is very important. It
leads to creating a safe space where both sides can be
understood and work to resolve their differences.
MANAGING ANGER 3 PERSONAL CHANGE
Simple lifestyle changes can often help us to become
less prone to anger; for example getting more sleep,
eating better or being more organised. On a deeper
level, that may mean overcoming insecurities and
confronting unresolved issues from the past.
More information can be found on the Blue Pages
14-16 in this edition of The Apple and on the website
www.counsellingnorthlondon.org.
To book an appointment, call 07727 697181 or
email aryeh.sampson@gmail.com.
10 JDOC365 APPLE MAGAZINE