Not everyone knows how to manage frustration well. It’s not taught in schools (though it should be) and our parents weren’t always the best examples.
Managing frustration isn’t impossible. These five essential tips will help you keep your cool, even in the most frustrating of circumstances. As as a caregiver to my mom who has Dementia, getting frustrated happens often but learning how to manage it is important to my wellbeing.
Take a Step Back
The smartest thing you should do when feeling frustrated is to take a step back. Breathe. Don’t react. Take a minute to distance yourself from the situation so you can ask what just happened and try to figure out an answer. By stepping outside of the situation, you can see things more objectively. Ask if there are pros or cons to this situation. Remind yourself if you’ve been here before, and how you got out of it unscathed. Even if this is new territory for you, remind yourself you will survive this challenge.
Embrace the Emotion – Then Let Go
When you’re frustrated, you’re pulling a lot of emotion into a situation. Your first reaction might be to suppress these feelings. Rather than pushing down and trying to ignore them, identify what you’re feeling, then allow yourself to feel it before letting it go. That keeps emotions from controlling the situation.
Act When Calm
When you think you’re outside the emotions and able to act rationally, do just that. You should make all decisions from your logical self, not the emotional one. The goal is to respond to a frustrating situation, not react.
Identify What You Wanted in the First Place
Frustration tends to happen when you’re not getting something you want. What triggered this frustration? Was this a want or a need? If it’s a want, is it practical or reasonable? Is this something you need to do right now or can it wait a few minutes. Sometimes you can come back to this a few minutes later and your loved one will be more agreeable.
Make a Choice
In the end, frustration only leaves you with two choices: accept the status quo, even If it’s painful, or change the situation to ease the frustration. Decide which it’s going to be. If you’re going with the status quo, you have to accept the frustration as being part of this decision and learn to live with it or let it go.
Managing frustration isn’t hard so long as you can stay out of the emotions of the moment. Keep a handle on yourself and take the time to think things through. Then act as needed.
How do you deal with frustration? I’d love to know.
Comment below.