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Writer's pictureVishwajeet Kumar

Frustration

Updated: Mar 3, 2023

Frustration, like anger, annoyance, and disappointment, is a common emotional response to opposition, according to psychology. Frustration emerges when an individual's will or objective is denied or blocked and it is likely to increase when that will or aim is denied or blocked. The greater the obstruction and the greater the will, the more the frustration is likely to be.


Understanding Frustration

It is an emotion. It occurs when a person is blocked from reaching the desired outcome. We may succumb to frustration and feel irritable, annoyed and angry. It is not necessarily bad since: - It can be a useful indicator of the problems in a person’s life. As a result, it can act as a motivator to change.


Causes of Frustration

When your aims or expectations don't pan out, you're likely to become frustrated. You could be doing something that isn't working as well as you thought or isn't producing the results you desired.


Frustrations can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Financial problems

  • Conflicts with people

  • Relationships

  • Negative events in the news

  • Workplace difficulties


Signs of Frustration

Frustration can manifest itself in a variety of ways. While these expressions differ from person to person, the following are some of the more prevalent symptoms of frustration:

  • Angry outbursts or losing your cool

  • Being apprehensive or tense

  • Irritability

  • Shifts in your eating habits

  • Changes in sleeping patterns

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Being unable to complete your day-to-day chores

  • Resorting to alcohol and other drugs for coping

  • Keeping your distance from the folks that irritate you


It is also typical for people to show their dissatisfaction through physical behaviour. They may sigh, pout, tap their feet, or use other repetitive bodily movements to show their anger and dissatisfaction.


Effects of Frustration

Frustration can lead to problems like:

  • Aggression: Anger can lead to aggressive behaviour, which can be directed towards oneself or others.

  • Feelings of melancholy and despair might develop as a result of frustration and disappointment over time.

  • Loss of self-esteem: Frustration can also lead to a deteriorated self-esteem, especially if the source of your sentiments is internal.

  • Unhealthy activities: It's not uncommon for people to use unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with their frustrations, such as resorting to drinking, drugs, food, or other unhealthy behaviors.

  • Frustration and stress are intertwined. Both of these emotions interact with one another. Being stressed can lead to annoyance, while irritating situations can lead to stress.


Various Methods to Deal with Frustration

Let's look at some ways you can deal with frustration:


Don’t Hold a Grudge

Forgiveness is an extremely effective strategy. Allowing anger and other negative emotions to overpower happy emotions might lead to you being swept up by your bitterness or sense of unfairness. Forgiving someone who has irritated you might help you learn from the experience while also strengthening your bond.


Think Before You Speak

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything. Also, allow others involved in the situation to do the same.


Identify Possible Solutions

Work on resolving the situation at hand rather than focusing on what made you angry. Make an honest assessment of what you can and cannot alter. Remind yourself that anger isn't going to solve anything and may even make things worse.


How to Deal with Frustration

Frustration tolerance refers to your ability to deal with frustration. A high frustration tolerance shows that you can successfully deal with problems, whereas a low tolerance indicates that you may become upset over minor inconveniences.


Distract Yourself

Fixating on the source of your annoyance might exacerbate your sentiments, but temporarily diverting your attention can provide you with the breathing room you need to digest. Choose an enjoyable activity, such as exercising, being creative, listening to music, or watching a movie.


Practice Mindfulness

Staying mindful is an important part of dealing with irritation and stress because you must be aware of how you're feeling before you can take action. Mindfulness also enables you to maintain an attitude of acceptance rather than resistance or judgment, which can help you deal with frustration more effectively.


Exercise

One of the healthiest ways to deal with frustration is to exercise. Rather than holding all of that pent-up energy inside, you can let it out via your physical actions. Go for a run while you're feeling frustrated. If you're particularly enraged, punch the air gently as you go forward. It genuinely feels wonderful, you'll notice. Even people who dislike running will get respite from their frustrations by going for a run.


Practice Nonviolent Communication

When we're irritated, we may use our words to injure those we care about to retaliate for the frustration we've experienced. Verbally attacking someone, on the other hand, does not fix the situation; rather, it exacerbates it. So always try to calm yourself and use nonviolent words.


Focus on the Solution, not the Problem

When we're frustrated, we tend to focus solely on the problem rather than the solution. Make a note of all the solutions when you see that a problem is getting worse. This serves as a reminder to yourself that the problem is solvable. Frustration can also be remedied.


This Too Shall Pass

Frustration is a natural aspect of being human. But there is some good news for you: your frustration will pass. Taking a deep breath and recognising that this isn't a permanent situation will help you deal with annoyance when you find that hot ball in your chest. Obstacles and problems aren't permanent. They can be a real pain in the neck while you're trying to solve the situation. Nothing, however, is permanent. As time passes, you'll become more aware of your frustrations. Avoid making long-term decisions to fix short-term issues.


Conclusion

Frustration is a fleeting feeling. You can deal with frustration by employing some of the tactics listed above. Keep in mind that you will feel this way again in the future in a different situation. You can become more conscious of your feelings before they fully appear by using meditation. It can help you control your frustrations over time so that they have minimal influence on your mood or even your day.


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