Is Anger Aging Us?

We encourage others, and ourselves to express our emotions. That’s a good thing since suppressing emotions like anger and discomfort are linked to a variety of physical and psychological ailments according to Dr. Mara Julius, SC.D., a psychosocial epidemiologist. For over 20 years Dr. Julius focused on how anger affects health, finding that those who did not express their anger are more likely to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other ailments. But the positives and negatives of getting angry might not be so black-and-white.

When a person become angry, the body experiences a variety of physiological changes. Specifically, the fight-or-flight response. When this system turns on, adrenaline courses, the heart beats faster, breathing becomes quick and shallow, and digestion stops. When this function occurs often enough, it can effect your health and wellbeing. Anger, hostility, impatience, frustration are all sides of the same coin. These emotions take a toll physically and mentally. Anger clouds judgement and rational thinking. At times, it can stop the thought process completely. Reactive actions can effect the safety and wellness of yourself and others. This specific emotion has been linked to zapping creativity and draining energy. Ultimately, reducing vitality.

That’s right-anger ages us faster than any other emotion, but what can we do? It’s normal and healthy to feel frustrated and enraged at times. It’s part of the human process. The solution? Don’t stew. Once you recognize the source of your frustration, identify the underlying problem. Take the steps needed to “fix it or nix it.” When handled appropriately, all the negative health risks associated with anger can be avoided. Essentially, getting angry isn’t the problem, it’s staying angry that causes physiological changes and damage. One effective technique? Get physical.

Dr. Sandra Thomas, R.N., Ph.D, and author of Women and Anger, states “one thing that’s really effective to do is something physical…anything that you can do will help.” Dr Thomas goes on to explain since anger triggers the fight-or-flight response, exercise burns off the excess adrenaline in a positive way. Margo’s classes are designed with a fusion of heavy body weight work and full body movement to respond to this internal need. Additionally, exercise allows the body and mind to break from the emotional trigger and work through a positive solution. These are your personal epiphanies that can happen in the studio.

Another option? Have a zen-moment. “In situations where you can’t exercise, find a quiet spot and meditate, breathe deeply, or practice some other relaxation technique,” says Dr. Thomas. It’s helpful to practice breathing exercises or meditation outside of frustrating situations so you know what to call upon in the moment.

Ultimately, the best solution to fighting the ultra ager, anger, is to be pro-active. Identify the under lying problems in your day to help you create solutions for the future. Let's face it, we all get angry. Own it, recognize why, and then (this is the important part) let it go. Take a class to blow off some steam without blowing your lid, and allow the solution to come to you. This will take extreme ownership, that’s okay. In the end, you’re in complete control. Breathing exercises will help. Make sure you familiarize yourself before you need them. And remember, things not going right is often protection from them going wrong. Do your best to see the positive to avoid the negative effect anger takes on the body, mind, and soul.

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