Emotions and Your Health: Anger Pt. II

Emotions and Your Health: Anger

Continued from previous page

Although many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, are probably well aware of the damage that anger can cause in the external world, few individuals truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.

But before we explore some of the negative effects of mismanaged anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation and communication.

When you get frustrated (a form of anger) because of a sub-par performance or lack of achievement, it’s your frustration that can be the motivation to do better.

If you feel as if you, a loved one, or something you value (such as your car, your pride, or a belief) is being threatened, then out comes The Incredible Hulk to warn the violator to back off…or else.

Self-esteem and respect are also examples of intangible things people value that are often re-affirmed as a result of displaying anger.

In spite of all the positive aspects of anger, when suppressed or overly expressed anger can wreak havoc on your well-being.

Redford Williams, director of behavioral research at Duke University Medical Center, says that every time you get angry more epinephrine (adrenaline) is released and your blood pressure increases.

Well, did you know that high blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries the same way a raging river erodes its banks?

Heart attacks are being linked with overly expressed anger and strokes are linked with suppressed anger. Many experts believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because according to many cultures it isn’t “lady-like”(whatever that means), for women to express their anger.

A review panel on coronary prone behavior and coronary artery disease (CAD) came to the conclusion that the effects of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are equal to and possibly greater than the effects of high serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure.

Hostility is bad for your health. Period. So, how hostile are you?

Continued on next page.

1 | 2 | 3