Anger is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. However, uncontrolled or mismanaged anger can lead to relationship problems, health issues, and a decreased quality of life.
Finding constructive ways to manage anger is important for overall well-being. Using sensory rooms or specific sensory items can be an effective strategy for regulating emotions and calming yourself when feeling angry or frustrated.
At Stacy’s Sensory Solutions, we love tending to our customers’ sensory needs with the various sensory products we supply. If you or a loved one are experiencing anger management issues, here’s a closer look at how you can use sensory products to help work through angry emotions.
How Sensory Items Help with Anger Management
Sensory items work by providing distraction or stimulation to your senses. Things you can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell can shift your focus away from whatever is causing your anger.
Sensory input engages your brain’s thinking center, allowing you to gain control over the emotional center. Staying grounded in the present moment with sensory items can stop anger from escalating by interrupting the biological “fight or flight” response.
Deep-pressure touch, like touch found in our house-made weighted blankets and rhythmic or repetitive sensory input, is especially helpful for self-soothing. The sensations send calming signals to the nervous system and can help ease angry feelings.
Using sensory items as a coping tool gives you a healthy way to release anger and frustration without taking it out on others.
Different Types of Sensory Items for Anger Management
There are many possibilities when it comes to using sensory items for anger management. Experiment to find which techniques work best for your needs. Here are some categories of sensory items to try.
Fidget Toys
Small handheld toys you can manipulate with your fingers provide distraction and sensory input. Some popular fidget toys that can help ease stress and anger include the following:
- Stress balls
- Silly putty or other stretchy/moldable materials
- Spinners or rotating disks
- Rubik’s cubes or other puzzle toys
- Tangle therapy toys
Having a fidget toy in your pocket to squeeze or play with when you start feeling angry can help calm you down quickly. The physical movement helps release the angry energy. Make sure the toy isn’t easily breakable though – nothing is worse than breaking a fidget when you are trying to calm yourself down.
Textured Items
Items with interesting textures are soothing to touch when you’re in a state of anger or stress. They provide sensory stimulation and bring you into the present moment. Examples include:
- Soft stuffed animals
- Faux fur or squishy fabrics
- Stress blankets or stress lap pads with bumps, ribs, or plush textures
- Beaded pillows
- Textured plastic balls
Hold or stroke these textured items and pay close attention to the sensations in your hands to help diffuse anger.
Aromatherapy
Smells have a strong connection to memories and emotions in the brain. Certain natural essential oils are known for their calming properties.
Try putting a few drops of relaxing scents like lavender, clary sage, or marjoram on a tissue or cotton ball.
Take in the aroma when you feel angry. Shower steamers and oil diffusers can fill a space with a peaceful fragrance that can calm an angry episode.
Visual Stimulation
Looking at something visually interesting engages your sense of sight to distract you from angry feelings. Calming visualization options include:
- Kaleidoscope toys
- Lava lamps
- Fish tanks or aquariums
- Soothing nature videos or photos
- Coloring books and markers
- Glitter jars or bottles
The visual input shifts your focus away from whatever, or whoever, you are angry at. The repetitive motion of the lava lamp or kaleidoscope can have an especially hypnotic effect that completely impacts how one displays their emotions.
Tips for Using Sensory Items Effectively
Here are some tips for making sensory anger management techniques as constructive as possible.
Keep sensory items easily accessible. Whether you’re carrying small toys in your pocket or bag, it’s easier to control your anger when sensory items are always on hand when needed.
Using sensory stimulation works best alongside deep breathing exercises that calm the nervous system.
Finally, make using sensory items a routine, once you know they work. The more consistently you practice with sensory items, the more effective they will be at interrupting automatic anger responses over time.
Build a Sensory Kit
Once you identify specific sensory items that work well for you, consider working with Stacy’s Sensory Solutions to put together a portable sensory toolkit you can always have on the go. This gives you everything needed for anger management in one place. Your kit might include:
- Stress ball
- Fidget cube
- Tangle toys
- Coloring book and pencil crayons
- Playdough
- Essential oils, and more!
Keep your toolkit someplace easily accessible at home, in the office, or in the car. These packs are great because they let you know you always have multiple sensory options available whenever anger arises.
Stacy’s Sensory Solutions Helps People of All Ages
Whether you’re an adult or a child living with anger management needs, Stacy’s Sensory Solutions is here to help.
Anger is a normal part of life. But with the right sensory tools and strategies, out-of-control anger does not have to be an issue.
Our tools provide many options for using the senses to calm yourself quickly and effectively in heated moments. Pay attention to what sensory stimulation works best for you.
With practice over time, you can gain control over anger and choose healthy responses that you feel good about.
Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.
