Anger is a basic emotion that emerges around 3 to 4 months of infancy. Evolutionarily, anger is meant to protect us from harm as it signals danger or an imminent threat to our well-being or safety. Feeling anger when you are mistreated, wronged or feel threatened is perfectly normal and healthy. Issues arise when the anger is not managed properly or becomes out of control. It is especially problematic when your anger hurts yourself or others.
When out of control, anger has significant impact on numerous aspects of your life. Having a temper forces your body to be in a constant state of stress, which acts as a risk factor for numerous health issue such as strokes, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, three ailments that South Asians are already at higher risk for genetically. Chronic stress also causes aches and pains, weakens your immune system and can cause insomnia.
Getting sick often or not getting enough sleep can have detrimental effects on your career. In addition, people who have a short fuse are less able to take constructive criticism without becoming defensive or work in a team setting. Compromising during conflict or debating a topic becomes almost impossible and lashing out to coworkers or supervisors becomes more of the norm.
In addition, people with mismanaged anger experience cognitive impairments. Anger affects the ability to think clearly, affects judgment and impedes concentration all of which can lead to poor performance at work. This, in addition to a lack of respect and a bad reputation amongst customers, clients and the workforce can make it very difficult to move forward in your career.
Similarly, people with anger control issues experience high levels of negativity in their relationships. This is because not being able to control your anger makes you a less reliable or trustworthy person to others. They never know when you will blow up and it makes people feel less comfortable around you. Uncontrolled anger can be damaging for intimate partnerships and especially children.
More likely to be socially isolated, have trouble at work and physical ailments, people with anger issues are at high risk for emotional health problems. People who use anger as a way to communicate regularly tend to be less happy and are more likely to be depressed or experience anxiety, which can further exacerbate the anger. People who have a short temper are also at higher risk for engaging in abusive behavior towards others.
Learning how to control your anger can have innumerable positive effects on physical and mental health as well as your professional and personal relationships.
How do you manage your anger?