Expert shares tips to show anger the yellow card as Englands’ big game approaches
As National Anger Awareness Week (1st-7th December) draws to a close in the middle of a World Cup, one expert has some advice for footy fans as the tournament enters its latter stages and the England team prepares to take on a formidable French side.
Danny Greeves is a trauma and anger management expert with a clinic in Norwich (and a global online audience). He is the author of “'Accelerated Trauma Resolution” and was named by USA TODAY Magazine as one of the top 9 Coaches Globally To Help Level Up Your Life in 2022.
With passions and emotions likely to be running high as the big game approaches, Danny has some advice for anyone who is keen to avoid the red mist and a red card.
‘I’m a huge football fan,’ explains Danny, ‘and a specialist in resolving trauma and anger management issues. I wouldn’t want to trivialise either of them by comparing them to the stress that comes with following the national team but for some people, there can be triggers as the tension mounts and the tournament progresses.
‘Hopefully these tips will help any football fan, whether following England this weekend or as the national games returns post-World Cup.”
Danny’s top tips to avoid the red card:
Avoid hostile away days - the environment you choose will play a huge role in how you respond to frustration and setbacks. A calm, quieter home venue will help set the scene and keep emotions under control. Loud, packed pubs and bars significantly increase arousal levels and make anger more likely to be triggered both as an individual and as a group.
Stay on your feet - alcohol significantly reduces inhibitions, emotional control and reasoning skills. If you're prone to losing your temper, going all out on the alcohol will heighten emotions and make you more volatile when faced with an upset. Stick to alcohol free or moderate intake to keep yourself in check.
Warm up properly - if you do choose to have a drink on the day, as the game is an evening kick off it's important to regulate when the drinking begins. Make sure you have a day of eating full meals to best prepare you and your body for alcohol.
Have a breather - deep breaths are the quickest, most effective way to calm the nervous system down. If you notice frustration starting to build, some slow, deep breaths can keep things under control.
Walk it off - getting some air can help break the emotional state of frustration and improve brain function and reasoning skills. Take a walk at half or full time to take a pause and reset.
With those key tips for the fan who knows themselves covered, Danny also has some advice for people who have people around them who tend to lose their temper;
‘Most people will know or can recall that mate who is a tad more prone to losing their temper as the stakes are raised. It’s a football cliche but try to get them to “Keep their feet on the ground”.
‘It's easy to get absorbed in the moment and lose connection to our surroundings. When this happens our emotions can get the better of us. Helping your buddy slow down where possible, empathise with their viewpoint without escalating it and being the calm voice of reason can help them stay grounded and aware of their surroundings.’
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