Whatever you call it, sometimes you just have to keep quiet about an issue. We've all been in the position where we want to scream that something is wrong, so-an-so is incorrect, or wish we could reach through our computer screens and say, "STOP IT!" But outbursts such as these are neither productive nor wise.
When a coworker causes you to steam in fury (or bang your head on your desk in annoyance), don't respond immediately. That first gut reaction is often overly dramatic and will cause the situation to get further out of hand. If you're first instinct is to respond immediately. Stop. Walk away (if you can), or take a breather and moment to think before you respond.
A reasoned, measured response is always a better reaction than those that occur in the heat of the moment. Sometimes these situations arise because of misunderstanding or confusion. An in the moment blow-up will likely not reveal the true cause of tension. Throwing words and sending e-mails back and forth will not solve the problem or get to the root of the issue.
So, when you find yourself wanting to explode, take a step back. Look at the situation from all angles, and find the best course of action. Usually taking a few extra minutes (or days) to calm down will help ease difficult situations.
If all else fails, keep a stress ball on your desk and squeeze it if you need something to throttle.
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