The Health Implications of Anger

A healthy way to deal with anger

"That is wrong! This is an injustice! I refuse to tolerate that kind of behavior or activity!"

Every one, as normal human beings, gets angry at one time or another, for many different reasons. Is that wrong? No, it is right to get angry about something that we know is wrong or is an injustice to us or to someone else. That kind of a response is a normal, healthy reaction. We are not called to live anger-free lives, although in reality, we might prefer to do so.

Fear is often at the root of our anger. When we are afraid of something, we tend to re-act in several, different ways. We are all familiar with the concept of fight or flight, but never think seriously about it.

When we are frightened or afraid, initially, we can go into a state of paralysis or  be emotionally locked into non-action or non-activity, as an immediate response. At that time, we may also choose to stand our ground and fight, as best we can. Or, we can run away and leave the situation where we feel threatened and head somewhere that appears safer. Our response is invariably determined, at least to some extent, by what is happening.

Our bodies respond to fear and anger by releasing a lot of adrenalin. This influx of adrenalin causes a sudden release or energy or a surge of extra energy.

With small to moderate doses of adrenalin normally being released into our systems all the time, our bodies function well. Without any adrenalin, our bodies could not function properly. We need adrenalin, but not an excessively high level of adrenalin, all the time.

In the fight or flight response, the sudden release of a large amount of adrenalin, gives us the extra energy we need in order to fight or to flee, as in the case of an emergency, for example, our reaction and response to a war, fire or a pending tornado.

Major health problem can arise for us, when there is an excessive amount of adrenalin released into our systems, as this can be harmful, particularly when the energy from that adrenalin is not used up in some way, within a reasonable period of time.

People who are always angry invariably become ill, because there is too much adrenalin released into their physical bodies. It may or may not be used up in their day-to-day activities.

The question becomes one of what we can do in order to stay healthy, once a large amount of adrenalin has been released into our systems, as the result of fear or anger. We know that there will always be things that we are afraid of or angry about. Many of these things, we cannot change or do anything about. This reality can be frustrating for people and more so, for others.

The solution is simple. What we need to do is to find positive and constructive ways, to use the dormant energy that has resulted from all of the adrenalin being released or just been released into our physical bodies.

Now that we realize that the release of adrenalin from fear and anger can cause a surge of excess energy, the answer is self-evident.

Think about our normal, daily activities of life, for a moment.

In order for us to do be able to some of the things that we enjoy doing or may want to do, but perhaps are not able to do under normal circumstances, sometimes we feel the need to find extra energy. We tend to seek that energy in different kinds of foods like carbohydrates, candy, chocolate, pop or other sugar-based drinks, maybe even energy releasing, power drinks of different kinds.

Use this scenario as an example.

Perhaps we know that we need to wash the car and all of the windows in our home. Maybe we find that we don't seem to have the amount of energy that we feel we need, in order to do those jobs. So, we might be tempted to consume extra carbohydrates like donuts, in order to obtain more energy, so that we may be able to complete the tasks at hand.

In reality, a great time to wash the car or the windows in the house, is when we have a high level of adrenalin and energy.

Take this one step further. Perhaps some inward anger is brewing inside us as the direct result of something that is happening or has happened in the family or in the immediate neighborhood or in the world.

At that moment, we have the extra adrenalin in our bodies that has the potential to release energy to spare.

So what if that energy is or was the result of being angry at someone about something. The source of the energy does not matter. What is important is what we do with the energy that results from the release of the extra adrenalin.

Many artists, writers, musicians are creative and productive, when energized by the adrenalin, that results from fear or anger. Many high achievers accomplish major feats of different kinds, because they do know how to use their extra energy in a positive and constructive way.

For example, a group of musicians are fearful of failure. The fear raises their adrenalin levels and they employ the energy that results from that adrenalin release, in a self-challenging way that allows them to accomplish something far beyond what they would normally be able to accomplish. They become a famous rock band.

For all of us, this right use of energy is important, because if that energy is not used wisely, the extra adrenalin will gradually eat away at our physical bodies, over a period of time. When that happens, illness may occur.

The bottom line is that the most important thing we can do for our health is to channel the energy that results from fear or anger, in a positive direction. We must do something that will use up that energy, even if it means going for a long walk, swimming, dancing, biking, doing a heavy task of some kind or whatever.

What also becomes a direct result of the positive use of excess adrenalin and energy is a feeling of accomplishment. That is just one of the extra perks.

So, if you are frightened or angry, do something with your extra energy that results from the release of excess adrenalin, no matter how small the task may be. Don't waste your anger and the energy that results from your it. Channel it wisely. Do something positive and constructive, as soon as possible.

If you can do so, use it to effect change for the better, in our world.

This is a healthy way to deal with anger.