Off In A Huff – The Harmful Effects Of A Temper

Letting your anger out is good. In fact, it is healthier than keeping it all bottled in. However, there are some instances though when we let our anger get the best of us. We may not be hurling things around, throwing a hissy temper tantrum, or cussing till we turn blue, but our anger is putting our health and safety at risk. Here are two common instances wherein we let our anger control us to the point of harming ourselves.

Anger and Health

Anger can affect our health.

When you get mad at someone, you are put in a stressful situation. The hormones produced by your body when you are angry surge through you, causing your blood vessels to constrict and narrow. Vasoconstriction or blood vessel constriction, in turn, causes your heart rate and respiratory rate to increase. Increased heart and respiratory rates then cause temporary elevation of your blood pressure, putting your health at risk especially if you have a preexisting medical condition such as hypertension. The rapid increase in blood pressure caused by anger and stress can lead to stroke or heart attack.

Anger and Safety

Anger can also affect our safety as well as the safety of others.

There are people who, instead of staying to talk about the issue, simply leave the stressful situation. While walking away is a good way to deal with anger, there are those who still let their anger and emotions control their actions. For example, they drive away in a hurry, and because there is too much emotion and anger in them, their attention gets divided. They cannot really concentrate on the road since they are still caught up on what happened. This leads them then to commit small mistakes.

According to Suhre Law & Associates, angry drivers who drive too fast are a cause for alarm. Not only do they endanger themselves, but they also put other people at risk. Some patrol officers stop aggressive drivers, thinking they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but when questioned, they find out that their driving was simply affected by their high emotions, especially anger. Nevertheless, their risky behavior is still a cause for concern and should be dealt with accordingly by the police officer. Anger should never be an excuse for the careless and negligent way the angry driver drives.

Controlling Anger

Controlling anger can be pretty hard for some people, but it is something that you need to practice on. You need to be able to rein your temper in, lest it gets the best of you. Below are some tips for anger management.

One, knowing your anger signs is the first step to controlling your anger. By recognizing the signs, it will be easier for you to detach yourself from the stressful situation. Two, leaning tricks such as deep breathing and counting is also a good way of controlling your anger and reducing your stress level. Three, it will also do you a lot of good if you take some time out before getting into your car and driving off. A little timeout can help clear your head before you do something really stupid.

Jennifer Dahlke is an online writer for health blogs. She mostly writes about tips for reducing hypertension and improving lifestyle.

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