When you’re angry, a lot may happen. You’re screaming, throwing things across the room, and slamming doors or maybe silently seething. But what exactly happens to your body when you’re mad? Here’s the science behind it:
1. The brain processes anger through the amygdala, an almond-shaped mass that assists with emotions.
2. The brain signals the adrenal glands, where hormones, such as adrenaline, are produced. Then, the body reacts by creating an adrenaline rush-reaction.
3. Blood pumps faster and muscles begin to contract. While this happens, the rest of the body is trying to calm down.
How do you alleviate your anger?
Psychology Today outlines a simple two-step method used by clinical psychiatrists.
1. Recognize you’re angry.
Recognition and acceptance is important because it means that once you come to realize that the emotion you’re feeling is anger, your logical side of the brain will begin to help you process it.
2. Try to objectify your feelings. Ask yourself, “Why are you angry?”
When we try to objectify anger and look beyond our point of view, we become aware of our actions and the consequences.
Per WebMD, suppressing emotions, like anger, is one of the major causes of depression and anxiety disorders. In the long run, this can also lead to physical issues, such as high blood pressure, and, if not treated properly, can lead to drug addiction or alcoholism. Therefore, expressing anger isn’t bad, just make sure to find your own, healthy way of asserting your feeling.
Sources:
http://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/15/10-facts-about-how-our-brain-gets-angry/
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-managing-anger#1
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creative-explorations/201706/understanding-anger
