The 7 Reasons Getting Angry At Things Is Slowly Destroying Your Body
Someone just made your really mad. They really pushed your button…and you’re starting to feel weird, physically.
Your chest is getting tight.
You’re starting to sweat.
At this point…you don’t even know why you're mad.
Someone was wrong.
You were right!
Your voice is elevated…and you might even start yelling. The things coming out of your mouth don’t even make sense and you know you’ll regret them when you calm down.
Most people have been there at some point in their life. Smart people learn how to overcome anger. Miserable people become more angry with time.
1. Anger is stress, and stress causes high blood pressure.
This is because of the various chemicals that your body releases as a reaction to the stimulus -- in this case, whatever's making you angry. Your fight-or-flight impulses kick in, and your body creates adrenaline to prepare for the "threat." That raises your blood pressure substantially.
2. While that's happening, less blood flows to your brain.
Your body wants to be able to move your arms and legs as quickly as possible, so it diverts slightly less blood to your brain. That means that you won't be able to think clearly, and you might make bad decisions.
3. You're also more likely to get headaches.
The muscles in your head and neck will tighten up (that must be where the idea of being "uptight" comes from). That can cause issues, especially for people who are prone to migraines and cluster headaches.
4. You may overeat.
People have different coping mechanisms for dealing with the sources of their anger, but overeating is one of the most common. One study showed that cortisol, which your body releases as a reaction to stress, increases your appetite and allows you to store more fat.
5. It's bad for your heart.
Some research shows that your risk of a heart attack doubles in the two hours after an angry outburst. Repressed anger can also enhance your chances of problematic heart disease.
6. Likewise, your chances of a stroke or blood clot rise.
According to one study, an angry outburst can triple your chances of having a stroke for about two hours. There's an even greater chance if you've already suffered a stroke or aneurysm in the past.
7. Anger can easily turn into depression.
If anger isn't dealt with, it can turn into depression. People who are clinically depressed (meaning that their depression was officially diagnosed by a physician) have a high risk of suicide; one study put this risk at 15 percent. By developing good habits for dealing with stress -- and talking with a medical professional when you need help -- you can deal with anger effectively and avoid these dangers.
