1. Don’t Pop Your Balloon!
Get a Grip on Anger
Janet M. Bender, 2002.

2. Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a real or supposed wrong. It is a normal, healthy emotion experienced by everyone.
Janet M. Bender, 2002.

3. Anger begins with negative thoughts which trigger physical changes in your body such as:
Tense muscles
Rapid breathing
Increased sweating
Rapid heart beat
Increased blood flow

4. People react in different ways when they feel angry:
Some people express their anger.
Some people hide their anger from others and even from themselves. Hidden anger can create anxiety and stress.
What do you do with your anger?

5. Let’s pretend that this balloon is a person, and the air blown into the balloon is the person’s angry feelings.
What will eventually happen if we keep on blowing more and more air into a balloon without ever letting any air out?

6. Yes, it will pop!
When a balloon breaks it isn’t fun to play with anymore.

7. If a person fills up with anger and negative thoughts, he or she may “pop” by…
Hurting someone
Hurting something
Would that person be fun to play with?

8. Some inappropriate ways to express anger are:
Hitting others
Damaging property
Saying hurtful things
Hurting yourself

9. Keeping anger inside may result in harmful behaviors such as…
Frightening dreams
Sleep problems
Grinding teeth or clenching jaws while sleeping
Feeling down or depressed
Stomach ulcers/other illness
Nervous feelings and behaviors
Procrastination or habitual lateness

10. To be happy and healthy, you can learn to recognize and express your anger in appropriate ways. You can choose ways to express anger that do not hurt anyone or anything.

11. What things or situations cause you to feel angry?
Complete the “Things That Bug Me” checklist now. Put a check beside all the things that “bug” you enough to cause you to feel angry.
Things That Bug Me

12. Things That Bug Me Name: _______________________________ Date:_______
Having people talk about me
Being teased
Not getting enough attention
One parent lives out of town
Missing my old friends
Getting blamed for something I didn’t do
Not getting to do something I want
Having too many responsibilities
My family not getting along
Not doing as well in school as I would like to
Name: _______________________________ Date:_______
Copyright 2002 Janet M. Bender

13. How do you look and sound when you get angry? Do you…
Get red faced
Clam up
Pout and sulk
Raise your voice
Throw things
Hit something or someone
Clench fists
Feel sad
Other
Janet M. Bender, 2002.

14. Does your anger ever cause problems for you? How?
Let’s look at some ways to help.

15. Things to Do to Get a Grip on …
Anger
Janet M. Bender, 2002.

16. Punch, poke or twist Play Doh or clay Pound a pillow
Scribble a picture
Finger paint an angry picture
Pop balloons or packing bubbles
Work it out—clean your room, rake etc.
Take deep breaths, count to 10
Talk to someone
more

17. Write in a journal
Jump rope, exercise, get moving
Blow bubbles
Tear up paper
Dream about favorite things
“Time out” yourself

18. Which idea/s will you try?
Write or draw about the idea you will try the next time you get angry.
Share your plan with someone.
Ask for help if you need it.

19. When you “get a grip” on anger, you’ll like yourself better and others will like you better too.

20. The End Microsoft Corporation 2002, Office XP, PowerPoint 2002
Janet M. Bender, 2002.