There are right and wrong ways to get angry. Here are 6 useless methods.
By denise ngo — Written on May 19, 2010
We couldn't help but chuckle after reading about e-Pressed, a shirt that uses biosensors to interpret and communicate the wearer's stress levels via embedded LEDs. People who see the shirt light up can then press acupuncture points drawn on the shirt, which in turn relax the wearer and turn off the light.
At this point, the shirt is still in the preliminary concept stages, but imagine the implications for relationships if e-Pressed went commercial. We're not sure that it'd make the best anniversary present: "Here's an LED-lit shirt, honey, because I can't read your emotions." (Cue the blinking red light). We're also skeptical that a spouse or girlfriend with an elevated stress level would necessarily want a man poking her here and there, soothing as the acupressure may be. 8 Relationship Tricks Happy Couples Use
We're sure the design is all in good fun, but it also serves as a jumping-off point for a discussion on how to deal with mood swings. Without further ado, six vehicles for expressing emotions that might be fun, but don't actually work:
1) Writing a note. You might not like confrontation, but anyone who's ever received a "Please clean the sink" Post-It on the refrigerator knows that passive-aggressiveness is plain annoying. Your partner, no matter how forgetful or spaced out, will be more likely to take you seriously if you have an actual conversation.
2) Updating your Facebook status. Think about it: writing an angry status is just like writing a passive-aggressive note, except that the rest of the world can actually see it. Your problems should stay between you and your partner. We wouldn't feel too great if someone ranted about our flaws and inadvertent mistakes to the Internet. Facebook Causes Romantic Jealousy
3) Breaking things. It takes a mature adult to express emotions without letting them overtake you. Maybe the plate looks like it deserves a smashing, but it can't hear out your anxieties or tell jokes to help you lighten the mood. Think: more breathing, less breaking.
4) Pretending that nothing happened. We've all been there. You ask your partner what's wrong, and although something is clearly up, the person insists that everything's just peachy. The best thing to do is be honest and trust that he can handle you on a bad day.
5) Retail therapy. If you're married, and you two just happen to share a bank account, splurging on $500 shoes after a bad review at work might not be the best idea. How about buying tickets to an event that you and your partner can enjoy together? A live sporting event might be just what you need to get your mind off of things.
6) Eating. Ah, the old ice cream route. If you eat ice cream out of a bowl, it means you're enjoying ice cream for what it is. If you're eating it out of the container, it means that you're angry and your partner should stay no less than 20 feet away from you. Yes, we're advocates of comfort food on deserving occasions, but be careful that your eating habits don't become a reason for someone to worry about your health. 11 Romantic Ways To Lose Weight As A Couple