As much as one might practice patience and mindfulness, the complications of modern technology and modern life-hacking can easily lead a person to frustration. Whether line-ups, traffic or computer glitches, the urgency of time and the necessity of productivity feel ever-present. How, then, to maintain composure and self-regulation in the face of it all? The following are some tips to help you counter the aggravation of frustration.
- Breathe. This may seem obvious, but we often take it for granted that we are truly breathing when only breathing shallowly and rapidly. To get the full benefits of airflow and oxygen, we need to inhale deeply, let the air fill our lungs and diaphragm, and slowly exhale. Try doing this five times, inhaling and counting slowly as you exhale. This will have a calming effect on your central nervous system and buy you time to respond in a more measured way.
- Ask why. To get to the source of your frustration, ask yourself the ‘why’ behind the why…Why am I frustrated? Is it because there is more traffic than I anticipated, and I feel annoyed that I didn’t leave sooner? Why does it matter? Is it because I will be late and disappoint someone else? Consider addressing the disappointment, not the frustration.
- Move the frustration out of your system. Stretch, walk, jump up and down, hug yourself or swing your arms to promote circulation and release pent-up energy.
- Take a nap. When we are emotionally overwhelmed or feeling irritation from various sources, taking a nap can be the perfect antidote. For some, this might mean resting quietly or sleeping, and for others, listening to music can be the best mood lifter.
- Eat or drink. In general, eating or drinking is not recommended for emotional relief, but sometimes, on a busy day, a person is simply thirsty or hungry or blood sugar is running low. A glass of water, a piece of fruit, some protein, or even a coffee might be just what the doctor ordered.
- Talk it out. Talking to someone or even writing our frustrations down can be cathartic for verbal processors. We may gain some new insight into our situation, feel less alone or even have a good laugh with a friend.
- Do something. Try doing something else to take your mind off what’s bothering you. This might mean tackling a ‘bigger picture’ item that feels more meaningful or completing a tedious or rote task such as housework. It will occupy you and perhaps result in the reward of a ‘quick win.’
- Let it go. Sometimes, just letting it go is the best option. When frustration does not immediately resolve, it may be best to put it out of your mind for a while and pick it up again later with fresh energy.
What are your favourite tips for beating the frustration blues?
Leave a Reply