Impulse Management

Redirecting Impulses

Handling Impulses

The most effective approach to handle impulses is to redirect thinking. For example, if a young person is displaying anger at you, ask, “Are you angry at me or at the situation?” Asking this reflective question prompts the person to redirect thinking. The anger automatically dissipates because emotion always follow cognition/thinking.

A simple technique to use with young people is to spread out your hands and have the youth count backwards with you: “10, 9, 8 etc.” By the time you have reached number “1,” the emotion will have dissipated because you will have redirected the person’s attention (cognition), which thereby altered the emotion.

Just remember that the only way to change an emotion is to redirect thinking or behavior—in which case your emotions will automatically be redirected.

A very effective approach is to TEACH A PROCEDURE.

The conversation may sound something like the following:

Every time you stick your foot out to trip your friend as he passes your desk, you become a victim of your impulse. Do you really want to go through life being a victim? If you want to be a victor, rather than a victim, then let’s establish a procedure so that when you get that impulse again, you can redirect it. For example, picture your foot glued to the floor. That image will prompt you to reflect the next time your friend passes your desk. It will help you make a choice to be in control, rather than becoming a victim of your impulse.

For Purchase

The following items can provide the same redirection approach when a young person simply looks at them. It is highly recommended that you invest in these tools for use in your school or home.