An anger impulse has a neurological window of about 6 seconds in which the amygdala reacts before the prefrontal cortex. Holding out through these 6 seconds is key. Practical immediate techniques include the following. First, abdominal breathing-inhaling through the nose for 4 seconds and exhaling through the mouth for 8 seconds-activates the parasympathetic nervous system and calms the amygdala. Second, a time-out technique of physically leaving the provoking situation is effective. Third, cooling your wrists or the back of your neck with cold water can quickly lower your arousal level. Fourth, grounding techniques such as silently counting numbers or naming five objects around you are also useful.