Have you witnessed road rage? Have you experienced someone venting their pent-up frustration on you even though you were not responsible for causing it? These folks are running on a short fuse.
They don’t know how to manage their stress and, as a result, their stress has turned into rage which is affecting others. This is the most undesirable state of mind to be in. Signs of short temper include losing control, screaming, or being irritable all the time. An occasional episode of losing temper could be considered a normal human emotion but if this is occurring too often it must be addressed by seeking help.
The first question is why can’t these people manage their stress? There could be several factors. It could be because they cannot identify the triggers of their stress or because they are obstinate and don’t want to adjust or alter anything. Perhaps they are unable to change anything due to their current life circumstances or are impatient.
The second question is how can we deal with them? One is by avoiding them altogether. A good piece of advice I received was to stay away from “energy vampires” who drain you of your energy and positivity. The other is by being assertive. If this is someone in your close social circle or family, you can also have a chat with them to find and resolve the underlying cause.
Case in point? Avoid getting wired up yourself! You don’t want to be the prototype of a person running on a short fuse. Although it’s easier said than done, resort to calmness when you face a person or situation that is testing your patience.
Speak calmly, have a calm body language and visualise a calm place in your mind. Excuse yourself and go away from whatever or whoever may potentially make you lose your temper and distract yourself with a new task or thought. Remember to manage your stress and prevent small daily annoyances from turning into rage!
