“Frustration, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success.” – Bo Bennett
Frustration is a consequence of stress we all feel which can make us irrational. It is very closely related to annoyance, anger and disappointment. We often feel frustrated when we want to achieve a certain objective but we are unable to do so because of many factors. Every human being feels frustrated at some point in their lifetime. As a college student I often feel frustrated when we are given multiple assignments to complete and we are not given much time. This is one of the many times I feel irrationally angry and annoyed in my daily life and I am sure many others may be feeling frustrated in regards to their school, college, professional and personal lives.
Types of Frustration
Frustration can be categorized in two major ways, internal and external. Frustration is said to be internal when your desired goals are not fulfilled due to lack of confidence, ability etc. For example, if a person failed their math test but did so because they did not prepare could be used as an instance of internal frustration. Frustration is said to be external when your desired goals are not fulfilled due to the tasks being out of your control due to them being physical roadblocks. For example, if a person was selected to participate in a race but injured themselves prior to the competition it could be an instance of external frustration. Certain individuals can be genetically predisposed towards frustration because of their temperament.
Effects of Frustration
Frustration can have various effects on people and they can be classified into positive effects and negative effects. In examples which are positive, the affected person can become frustrated to the point that they take it upon themselves to solve a problem. In examples which are negative, the affected person will build up their frustration and may begin to exhibit violent reactions towards what is causing them their problems.
Signs of Frustration
Losing your temper quickly
Frustration and anger are known to go hand-in-hand and we have a tendency to express anger towards the object or person causing us frustration. A person can threaten somebody verbally or physically when they are frustrated. People often act in the heat of the moment when they are angry and therefore must learn to respond to their frustration in a way which does not harm themselves or others.
Giving up at the smallest drawback
Giving up on certain goals is understandable if those goals are simply unattainable. On the other hand, frustration can cause people to lose their sense of persistence which might cause them to drop out of school, college, etc.
Losing your self-confidence
This point can relate to the previous point being mentioned. If you keep quitting your tasks you may end up not having confidence to try again and might misjudge your ability based on your prior experiences.
Not getting enough sleep or having irregular sleep cycles
Frustration can lead to you not getting enough sleep due to being in a constant state of worry and uncertainty.
Anxiety/Anxious body movement
For example, tapping your feet, biting your lips, etc.- Frustration may lead to you having anxiety due to being constantly irritable about your own abilities.
Depression
Being frustrated can lead to depression if left unchecked. This may start to affect you in your daily life.
Using excessive caffeine, alcohol or drugs and irregular eating habits
This is usually when people try to grasp for control and get addicted to substances. It is unfortunately the most self-destructive method of dealing with frustration and is not good for your health.
How to deal with Frustration?
Seeking a therapist
In case you feel that your frustration is affecting you a lot in life to the point you are not able to manage it yourself, it is always best to consult with a licensed therapist or counsellor who can help you navigate through your problems. They will be able to see to your needs and requirements personally and would recommend you the type of therapy you need.
Do Breathing Exercises
Take deep breaths in and release them after a few seconds. Doing so will allow you to reduce your pent-up emotions and make you feel calmer. This will also provide more oxygen to your body which would help in reducing the negative effects resulting from anger.
Exercise
Exercising will give you a routine to look forward to everyday and may help you to sort out your thoughts properly.
Meditation
Meditating is considered exercising the mind. When you are angry, this can definitely help you to a certain extent in calming yourself down.
Source of Frustration
You may now have gained a sense of clarity and would be able to correctly gauge what is the source of your frustration.
Motivate Yourself
You can motivate yourself and realize that all terrible times will end and that quitting unnecessarily is not good and also persistence is key when you are doing a certain task.
Taking up a hobby
Taking up a hobby is always a good way to deal with frustration. When I feel like I cannot do anything, I start playing my keyboard to relieve stress and it helps me to focus on other things at that particular moment. Try doing activities that involve a certain level of concentration.
Do relaxing activities
As generic as it sounds, it really helps if you take small steps to improve yourself, such as taking a walk in a garden or reading your favorite book.
Takeaway Message
Things might get hard but you have to remember that consistency is the key. You just need to find yourself amidst the chaos and know your worth. Spend time with the people who love you and treat you right and do the things you love, because your mental health matters. Just don’t exist, start living!
References
Psychcentral.com
Mhanational.org
Verywellmind.com
Webmd.com
Psychologyanywhereanytime.com
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