How To Handle Frustration From Others

Frustration can eat you from the inside. It winds you up and makes you feel like you are not in control of the situation. Not only does it suck the energy out of you, but it distracts you and steals your time.

There are several causes of frustration, and each one has its own impact on people. The more invested they are in others, the more likely are they to experience frustration. 

What can you do then?

Well, sometimes, frustration can be avoided if you look at the situation from a different perspective. It can actually be a positive experience, giving you an idea of how things can be done or how you can work differently. 

Dealing with frustration could also mean gaining the power to keep on going forward. However, if you end up going in circles, frustration only leaves you feeling mad. Your mind will be foggy, and you won’t be able to think straight. If you are already starting to lose control of your emotions, then it’s about time to get help.   

There is always something you can do to control that feeling. You can always turn it into something better, something you can consider more helpful, and into something that will make you feel better again. 

Live In The Moment

When you are feeling frustrated, it means that you are not living in the moment. You are probably somewhere in the future, imagining what could happen. In your head, you are somewhere else, and you wish that you could change where you are now. 

Frustration is also a feeling you draw out of wishing you could change what happened in the past. These are moments when you felt you could have done better, but you never really got the chance. 

Snap out of it. Calm your mind and focus all your energy and attention on what is happening right now. Be here at this moment. 

How do you practice mindfulness to avoid frustration?

Focus on your breathing

Sit down and close your eyes. Focus all your attention on the air that is going in and out of your body. Take note of the sound of your breathing. Be calm. Take slightly deeper breaths if you have to. Remember to breathe with your belly and not with your chest. This will allow you to focus more on what is happening in your body. 

Be aware of what’s around you

Is the sun shining through your window? Can you hear the chirping of the birds or the sound of the cars passing by your street? Stop and take the time to smell your clothes. Do you like how they smell? Feel the sun kiss your face as it touches your skin. 

Do this meditation for one to two minutes. 

Try to appreciate what you already have. 

After you have pulled all your attention to what is present at the moment, you can begin to make a list inside your head. Focus on the positive aspects of your life. 

In your mind, make a list of all the things you are grateful for. The fastest way to do this is to think about what you appreciate most in your life. Below are examples of things that you might take for granted.

• A roof over your head. It is not just about having a house to live in, but a family that will turn it into a home. 
• Drinking water. Not everyone in the world enjoys potable water. 
• Having enough food to eat. Not having to go hungry is one of the things you should be thankful for. After all, not everyone can eat the same way as you do. 
• Strong internet connection. You might not believe it, but it is true. Not everyone has a strong and stable internet connection, and in this day and age, having one is a blessing.
• The people who love you. The best feeling in the world is to love and be loved in return. 

Focus on what you can control

With your attention focused and feeling more grateful than before, it is time to think of ways on how you can be constructive about what you find frustrating. 

How do you do it? What is the one thing that you can do right now to help improve the situation? 

Perhaps you can look into the situation to determine why you find it so frustrating. If you push yourself to reach your goal, it could be a lot easier to get yourself going.

No matter what may stop you right now or how bad you feel at the moment, you know that the power is in you to change the situation. When you realize that your worries have taken much more of your time today than they should, then it is easier to see that you can’t be that tough on yourself. 

Things might be frustrating because you expected more. Take care of yourself. Begin by simplifying expectations. Use this time to recharge yourself and get back into what you need to do. Focus on your goals, and work hard to reach it. Set aside your frustrations. 

After all, feelings of frustration are all part of learning and growing up. When you feel like you can do more, then let it empower you to do better. Be better than yesterday.