Problem: Article: If you are quick to anger, you may do something in the heat of the moment that you'll regret later on. Consider the consequences of what you are about to do. Don't react; respond. Try to grab hold of your anger and examine it. Ask yourself what exactly is making you so angry. Ask yourself if you are overreacting. Think through the consequences of your actions. If you react violently in this situation, will you burn any bridges? Will it negatively impact your relationships? Will you run the risk of being arrested, suspended, or otherwise punished for your actions. It's easy to be rough with other people if you don't consider how your actions might make them feel. Be careful. If you find yourself hurting people without intending to do so, try to understand what it was that hurt them so. Is this person sensitive to a particular word or label? Did I grab their arm too hard without thinking? Consider treating others as if they are especially fragile, at least at first. Be as considerate as you can be without walking on eggshells. Try to understand why someone is acting the way they're acting: try to figure out how they feel and what they are thinking. You may find it much harder to be angry once you understand where someone's coming from. If you can't understand why someone is acting a certain way, just ask them. Tell them what you don't understand, and listen carefully to their response. They may be just as confused about what you are thinking. Empathy is a two-way street. Try to be open about what you are thinking. Work to build a mutual understanding. You can change your own behavior, as well as how you react to things. For example, you can choose not to do things that trigger negative feelings in others. Additionally, you can work to overcome your own triggers. Anger is useful for understanding your feelings about something. If you feel angry, look for the reason why. For example, if your job makes you angry, then it may be time for you to apply for a new position. It's easy to become swept up in the day-to-day demands of work, school, relationships and family. Give yourself time to simply be yourself. Get outside. Find a quiet space. Go for a walk or take a swim. Go to the movies. Get a massage or get your nails done. Do anything that allows you to forget your troubles for a while. Consider leaving your phone behind. You may find it easier to leave the troubles of day-to-day life behind if you are not being constantly bombarded with texts, calls, and emails. Be present. Reducing stress is fantastic for your health. If you're always stressed and often angry, you may be at risk for high blood pressure. Practice de-stressing, and you may live a longer, healthier life. Avoid foods that make you feel more agitated or easily stressed. For example, caffeine can make you feel restless and antsy. Similarly, you may find that certain other foods stimulate you.
Summary: Think before you act. Make a conscious effort not to hurt anyone. Empathize. Change what you can. Take time to de-stress.

Problem: Article: Join a club, try out for a sports team, or hang out at places where there are likely to be others who share your passions or interests. Not only will this introduce you to lots of new people, it will also eliminate the difficulty of coming up with things to talk about, since your similarities are the very reason you're there. If reading is your thing, you might consider starting a book club that convenes every couple of weeks. Invite your close friends to be the first members, then have them reach out to their friends to begin bringing new people into the fold. Practice opening yourself up to others by striking up conversation with various people you encounter throughout the day. It could be a classmate, a bank teller, your yoga instructor, or the guy ringing you up at the grocery store. A simple, "How's it going?" could be the seed that blossoms into a lifelong friendship. Keep an eye out for things that you and the other person have in common, such as a favorite band, TV show, or brand of sneaker. Topics like these can be good icebreakers. Get rid of any notions you may have of separating your "social life" from your "professional" or "academic" life. Even if you're not the most social being, you should make it your goal to be sociable in all areas of your life. " Every new situation you find yourself in is a chance to meet new people. The next time someone invites you to a party where you don't know anybody, or asks you to take part in a social outing that you would ordinarily avoid, make it a point to say yes. You never know who you might end up connecting with there. Putting yourself in unfamiliar situations can be scary. Just keep in mind that most people will want to like you the first time they meet you. And, if you don't know them to begin with, you really have nothing to lose. You don't always have to say "yes" to everything. If the idea of doing something makes you uncomfortable, it's okay to respectfully decline. These days, technology makes it possible to stay socially engaged without ever leaving your home. If you're just not ready to put yourself out there yet, look for an online community where you can practice your social skills in a low-pressure setting. Social media apps that allow you to express your thoughts and glimpses of your private life, like Twitter and Instagram, can be a perfect platform for this. Join communities related to your particular hobbies, interests, and lifestyle. Don't just sit back and lurkbe an active participant by leaving comments, sharing posts, joining in discussions, and encouraging your followers to interact with your page or profile. After getting to know someone online, you might eventually even arrange to meet up in real life and take your friendship to the next level.
Summary:
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Talk to strangers. Get in the habit of saying "yes. Find new friends online.