Anger is a natural element expressed by humans, but if it is not coped with in the proper fashion, it can be detrimental. 

Valley College's Psychological Services conducted a free “Anger Management” workshop for students in the Cafeteria Conference Room. Damien Tilliman, an intern of the psychological services at Valley, acquainted students with vital information and techniques on how to manage their anger and how to deal with others. 

“We live in a culture where emotions are considered bad sometimes,” said Tilliman. “The majority of our anger, it is because we feel shame, that’s the primary reason. It comes a lot from not taking care of ourselves.” 

Essential tips shared with students on how to regulate and care for this matter fluttered the conference room. Self-awareness— asking questions inwardly, such as, “Why am I angry? Where did this anger come from? How do I act when I’m angry?”—is the first step, according to Tilliman. Once becoming familiarized with these questions and answers, one has to decide on how to avoid or de-escalate situations where anger can be triggered, he said. After that is settled, find ways to release this anger—such as talking with a friend or writing in a journal. 

Physical activity is a good way to vent this emotion, according to the Tilliman. Physical actions such as exercise, running around the block, engaging in sports, or even hitting a pillow— not a person—will usually work. 

Natural Science major Cynthia Velezquez said her anger is usually derived from disrespect from another person. She manages her anger with sarcasm. 

“I’ll be very sarcastic with a person,” she said. “If I’m not, I’ll try to ignore them or I will just snap.” 

Velequez found this session to be very helpful. She says she will use the self-awareness and self-talk mechanism going forward to help handle her anger. 

“It’s nice to be able to help students in some way knowing that we all have problems,” said Tilliman. 

He also knows that students probably will not remember all of these tips when confronted with anger in the future, but he said he will be fine if just one or two of these steps gets through to students. 

“You have to focus on what’s best for you,” he said. 

The psychology department holds different workshops every month. For more information, check the calendar of events on Valley College’s website at http:// www.lavc.edu/calendar/index. html