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Decompression Routines
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A diver coming up from a deep dive has to stop periodically and wait for the pressure inside his body to match the pressure of the water around him. Otherwise bubbles form in the bloodstream, which can do serious harm. The process of taking time to relieve this internal pressure is called decompression. By extension, in our anger work, a decompression routine is any activity that helps you to relieve the internal stress created by a stressful event or day. David found decompression routines to be a very helpful technique in reducing his inappropriate anger. He and his wife used it as a second way to avoid arguments before dinner. He developed a decompression routine to do when he came home. Instead of rushing into an activity right away, he would spend fifteen or twenty minutes doing something relaxing. After this short decompression period, he would then do something that was not too stressful, such as performing a simple chore around the house or playing with his children. Problem-solving and other activities that could trigger his anger were put off until after dinner. David also found decompression routines helpful at work. He had a tendency to overwork, skipping his breaks and even eating lunch on the run. He justified this intensity by thinking that regardless of how tired he was, he could always function at 100% if he forced himself. Even when you are exhausted, the fight or flight response can enable you to function well for short periods—that’s what it is designed to do. But there’s a limit to how far you can push yourself. None the less, it’s curious how many people believe, like David, that they should be able to function at peak efficiency regardless of the condition of their body. For David, the result was predictable: Because he was often tired and stressed out, he frequently exploded over little things. Once David began to think of his body as a machine with a limited amount of energy, however, he began to take his breaks. During lunch time he made a point to do something relaxing and unrelated to work. He also took minibreaks after stressful phone calls or meetings. In the past he had just pushed ahead immediately to the next item on his agenda—and experienced high levels of inappropriate anger over trivial matters. The difference resulting from this new approach both surprised and pleased David. It not only reduced the amount of anger he experienced, but it made him more productive. (The above has been extracted from Mr. Peurifoy’s books, Anxiety, Phobias & Panic and Anger: Taming the Beast) |
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E-mail comments to: lrsc@rpeurifoy.com Disclaimer: This site contains general reference information and is not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician or a psychotherapist. Copyright © 1999 by Reneau Peurifoy, MA — All Rights Reserved |