When it’s hot outdoors, the oppressively hot weather brings us to heat up emotionally and mentally. Here are some quick ways to cool down and keep your cool and stay spiritually anchored in quiet contentment. Energy expended on anger seriously depletes a body. Finding ways to avoid getting angry is best. Here are some ideas on how:

1) Physical movement and agitation contribute can contribute to mental irritation. We’re continually drawn out by the pressures to do and produce and to meet expectations. Make a point to be physically still for a time each day and bring the mind home. This helps to remain centered in a space of inner peace.

2) When the sun flares, the heat and irritation can also inflame us and make us more prone to anger. To cool tempers, drink a cold glass of water; walk away from the place where the anger flared; take a deep breath and say a prayer. I have some props around to help me keep a sense of humor about situations that challenge me to stay emotionally cool – a red clown’s nose works, especially when I put it on and look in the mirror. Speaking in a British accent, helps too. It’s hard for me (or anyone else) to take me seriously when I take on that formal attitude of the Brits to express my frustrations.

3) Self-deprecation can work wonders too. More than anything others love to have a reason to laugh when things get tough. Giving them a chance to laugh at me releases tensions and connects me with others. Laughter in the face of anger is a way to become more human, and avoiding the hurtful words stirred up by anger can help us to take a little step closer to the Divine.

Sometimes anger builds up and needs a healthy outlet. Blocked negative energy can cause health issues. One of my favorite ways to release pent up frustrations and anger is to go into the forest, a walk-in cooler or a private place and scream. Punching pillows works wonders too.  What are your creative ways to let go of frustrations and anger?

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.