Unit 1: Social Skills

Lesson 2: Anger Management

Topic 3: Coping Skills – relaxation

*Note: Anger that leads to physical violence is serious and needs appropriate intervention. An individual who exhibits behaviors that can lead to harm of another or property damage needs psychological services from a professional trained in anger management. More advanced relaxation procedures can be taught by someone with training in relaxation methods. This lesson can be used for those individuals whose anger management issues cause them problems (i.e., loss of a job) but do not cause significant harm to themselves or those around them.

OBJECTIVES

1. Make a list of at least five activities that they can do that will help them relax.

2. Demonstrate deep-breathing techniques.

MATERIALS NEEDED
Information on Deep-Breathing Technique

magazines that have pictures of various people participating in relaxing activities, scissors, glue, and construction paper

marker board or something to write on

INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
This topic will be discussion-based with rehearsal of the breathing exercises. Focus the discussion on the importance of learning how to calm down prior to responding to a provoking situation. If a person is not calm when confronting a person who has done something to upset her, the chances that she will be successful in using her coping skills are decreased.

1. Discuss that one appropriate response to anger is for the person to relax. List examples of different ways people relax. Each student should make a list of at least five activities that could be used to help her relax. For those students who don't read, have them make a picture list using the supplies listed above.
   
   

2. Instruct the students on deep-breathing techniques. Use the information sheet to provide the students with information and instructions. Inform them that they may have to do the deep breathing on the spot without the luxury of a quiet room. Tell them that if they practice, it will be easier to do.
   
   

3. Talk to the students about how to appropriately excuse themselves when they need to do deep breathing techniques. They cannot just walk away from their boss when he is yelling at them. Teach the students to use a phrase such as "excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom." At this point the student should practice leaving the area and going to do deep breathing in another area. Again, this will take practice.
   
   

4. Summarize the topic. Remind the students that when people get upset, so do their bodies. In order to help them deal with their emotions, they need to keep the feelings in their bodies calm.
   

SIGNS OF GENERALIZATION
Students report using breathing techniques during provoking situations. Even leaving the area until they are calm is a sign that they are attempting to control their emotions until they are ready to handle the situation.

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