Coping with injustice (because life isn’t fair!)…

Tips to stop anger and injustice from hurting you 

Improve your health and well-being by releasing feelings of injustice.

You know that life is not fair. But sometimes circumstances feel so unfair that it’s difficult to let go. You may have persistent feelings of injustice and good reasons to support it. For instance, you may be challenged with a personal betrayal, a traumatic childhood, or a physical assault…

Persistent anger and feelings of injustice come with a steep price: They rob you of happiness in the moment and have negative impacts on your health.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Have compassion for yourself. Recognize that you are doing your best with a difficult situation. The more you focus on compassion, the less room there is for anger. 

2. Decide it’s not worth it. Remind yourself that gaining control over your current experience is the best way to rise above any negative people and circumstances from the past. Doing so puts you in the driver’s seat, and the past in the backseat. 

3. Anger and feelings of injustice beget physical pain. Anger is associated with increased tension and inflammation in the body, which can worsen pain and overall health. Feelings of anger and injustice can keep you focused on what’s wrong and who is to blame. Remind yourself that focusing on it gives it more energy.

4. Choose to be empowered by separating the facts from your emotions. Don’t let your anger contaminate your ability to enjoy life. Work at releasing the anger. 

5. Seek treatment modalities that melt anger and feelings of injustice. 

6. The Relaxation Response is an antidote for anger. Reducing the inner tension can neutralize the emotions. 

7. Use positive imagery, such as thoughts of being in nature or with a loved one, to break through the pattern and neutralize the emotions.

8. Have patience and compassion with yourself. This could all take time. 

9. Don’t stay stuck. Focus on relaxation in your mind and body. Working with a professional can help. 

— Beth Darnall, PhD (Paraphrased from 9 Tips to Stop Anger and Injustice from Hurting You, Psychology Today, Dec 16 2014)

Personally, I didn’t have a great childhood. Too much tough love, not enough warmth, affection and support. Fortunately, I developed an early interest in psychology. I’ve always been curious about why we do what we do and how we interact with one another in society. I continue to educate myself, which is profoundly helpful in quelling some of my feelings of injustice. My favourite therapist says some things are just our legacy and we need to allow for that. You can’t change where you come from, but you can certainly create a better future, if you so choose. Just sayin’ :) 

Blessings,

Chatgirl