Anger is one of the six basic emotions that we experience as humans. It’s a natural response to the things that surround us. On its own, it’s not a problem, but an inability to process and handle it quickly and healthily can be a major issue. From effects on the body to real-life consequences, uncontrolled anger can be a real problem.
Affecting the Body
Outbursts of rage as well as quiet, unaddressed fury both negatively impact your body. Anger in these forms can increase your risk for stroke and other cardiac issues. Studies also show that rage can weaken your immune system, which helps fight illness and infection. Anger has also been linked to anxiety and depression which also add to stress. Getting mad is a natural response to things that make you upset, but an inability to handle anger can literally shorten your life.
Dealing with Consequences
Rage or fury can cause you to do things that result in legal consequences. Words of anger can easily lead to altercations that build up to violence. Not only does this cause harm to yourself and others, but you might find yourself arrested and charged. Depending on the extent of the violence, you may find yourself having to take court ordered anger management classes, paying fines or even going to jail. Rarely are such consequences worth it.
Ruining Relationships
In the heat of anger, you may say or do things that cause irreparable harm to a relationship. When you’re really mad, you might feel that you have to hurt the person that has offended you. This may cause you to say or do things that are extremely hurtful and even impossible to take back.
Anger in and of itself, is not a bad thing. It’s all about how you deal with things and people that make you mad. You may need to seek professional guidance to help you learn how to process this emotion.
