In life, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, things go wrong.

Other times, people

frustrate or annoy us.

What is frustration?

Frustration is a feeling people experience when they are upset or annoyed. It’s a normal reaction when
dealing with situations outside of your control.

Causes of frustration

1. Poor communication

One of the causes of frustration stems from poor communication. Often, we fail to communicate in a
way that other people understand. Have you ever found yourself saying, “You’re not listening to me?”
That’s an example of poor communication.

2. Different experiences

If you’re trying to understand the causes of frustration, just take a look at the different sets of
experiences we all go through. We all see the world through our own unique lens. From the way we
were raised to the economic hardship our families face to traumatic experiences, we’ve all experienced
life in a different way than those around us. It’s what helps make our experiences so unique. And it’s
what makes us unique. Two people can go through a similar event and perceive the event in completely
different ways. There’s so much that shapes who we become. And that can lead to frustration because
you never see the full picture of what makes someone who they are.

3. Lack of progress

The last cause of frustration comes from a lack of progress. Humans are ambitious. We want to grow,
change, and evolve. Progress is how we feel better about ourselves, instead of feeling like our life is
falling apart.

Dealing with frustration summary

Frustration is a temporary emotion. Using some of the strategies above you can take actions to deal
with frustration. Keep in mind that you will experience this feeling again in a new context down the
road. Using meditation, you can become more aware of the feelings before they fully surface. It can help
you manage your frustration on a long-term basis so that frustrations impact on your mood or even your
day becomes minimal. Releasing your frustration through exercise can also be beneficial to help you
cope with it. Whether you decide to write your frustrations out, focus on solutions, distract yourself, or
try any of the other ideas on this list, you’ll be well on your way to managing your frustrations in a safe
and healthy manner. May you be at peace.
If you struggle with frustration, you may try to hide your feelings in the hope that they will go away.
Unfortunately, intense feelings must be recognized and dealt with; they don't just go away on their
own.

The first step in overcoming frustration is to recognize that you are feeling this emotion. Many people
were taught as children not to express frustration. If you are feeling bottled up inside and are not sure
what to do about it, try:

- Meditating. The first step to dealing with frustration is to notice that you’re feeling. Believe it
or not, but it’s not always easy to notice frustration arising. Sometimes, we blow up at loved
ones not realizing that we were pent up with frustration. Fortunately, there is a way to get
better at noticing frustration: meditation. With meditation, you simply become more attuned
to feelings and sensations in your body. That way, when you notice that frustration is coming
up for you, you can take action to lower it instead of taking it out on those you care about.
- If meditating isn’t your cup of tea, try writing about your feelings. It may be helpful to make a
list of everything that is bothering you. You can then decide which items you can change and
write down ways that you can change them. It’s a great way to vent too. Once you write what
you are feeling and thinking you will see it more clearly.
- Get some fresh air. Whether you spend some time in your backyard or on your balcony,
getting some of that fresh air can do your body good. If you own a pet, you might enjoy taking
some time to walk it a few more times a day than usual to get some of that warm sunshine
glowing upon you. While outdoors, be sure to mindfully breathe. Being out in nature is one of
the best places you can ever be. Going for a casual stroll by the water or in a forest can be a
relaxing activity.
- Exercise. Exercise is one of the healthiest ways to deal with frustration. Instead of carrying all
that pent up energy inside of you, you can release it through your physical movements. During
your most frustrated moments, go for a run. If you’re feel really angry, you can gently punch
the air as you move forward. You’ll notice that it actually feels good. Even those who don’t
like running will find relief in a run when it comes to their frustration. You can also do other
cardio such as dance if you want to transition from a mood of frustration to one of happiness.
And if you’ve really built up a ton of pent up frustration, maybe you’ll find some solace in
weight lifting. And in all of these cases, you’re improving your physical health and dealing with
frustration in a way that makes you stronger.
- This too shall pass. Experiencing frustration is part of being human. However, here’s some
good news for you: frustration passes. When you find that burning ball is in your chest, taking
a deep breath, and remembering that this isn’t a permanent state can help you deal with
frustration. Obstacles and challenges don’t last forever. They can be a huge pain in the butt as
you deal with the problem. However, nothing is permanent. Eventually, as time passes, you’ll
notice your frustrations do too. Avoid making permanent decisions to solve temporary
problems. In this present moment, you’re in full control of how you feel and react to your
frustration. Choose your next step wisely!