In 1979, a seven-year old boy was playing with some of his toys while sitting in front of the TV in the living room. Right after a commercial , the little guy got extremely excited because as he heard one of the most famous lines television history. He could barely contain himself as he recited the line:
"Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
The little guy, full of unbridled enthusiasm, put his best imitation angry face. Then he spun around to face the couch where his father was sitting and yelled, "Yeah, Dad! Don't make me angry! You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"
His son's face was so twisted and contorted that the father burst into laughter. Thinking that his father needed to understand that he was serious, the little guy started tearing off the t-shirt he was wearing. The father sat there for a split second. He was stunned and his amusement turned into anger. "Boy! What in the world is wrong with you?!"
With his play anger morphing into fear, the little guy meekly replied, "I...I'm The Incredible Hulk, Dad."
"If you ever tear up your clothes like that again you are definitely going to get something incredible--a butt-whuppin'!"
That was the day I decided to take the shirt ripping routine out my Incredible Hulk impersonation. Yup. That little guy was me.
When I was growing up, it seemed like getting angry always lead to one of two results. One, people thought that you were the cool, tough guy (or woman) type that you don't mess with. Or, two, they thought you were the overly sensitive, mindless monster moonlighting as a bully type.
You probably already know that anger is one of the most dangerous forces in existence. The seeds of war get planted, innocent people get killed, and countless harsh words are regretfully spoken because of unchecked anger.
Many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, probably realize that anger can cause a lot of damage in the external world. Few individuals, however, truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.
But before we explore some of the negative effects of mismanaged anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation.
If you are frustrated--which is a form of anger--because you made a mistake or blew an opportunity, your frustration can be the source of motivation you need to improve. If you believe that a loved one or anything you value (such as your car, your ego, or a belief) is being threatened, out jumps The Incredible Hulk to tell the culprit to scram or get smashed.
There are quite a few intangibles that people value which are often re-affirmed by displaying anger.
All positive aspects of anger aside, when suppressed or overly expressed, anger can wreak havoc on your well being. Research shows that every time you get angry more epinephrine (adrenaline) is released and your blood pressure increases.
In the same way a raging river erodes its banks, high blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries. What?! That is crazy.
Heart attacks are being linked to excessive anger and strokes are linked to suppressed anger. Researchers believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because, according to many cultures, it isn't proper behavior for women to show their anger. Supposedly, it's not "lady-like".
A review panel on coronary prone behavior and coronary artery disease (CAD) came to the conclusion that the effects of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are equal to and possibly greater than the effects of high serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure.
The bottom line is that too much hostility is bad for your health.
Million-Dollar Question: How hostile are you?
In a study of 3,750 men, researchers asked participants to rate themselves on a scale of 1-5 in three categories. 1) Seldom get into arguments/Often get into arguments. 2) Not easily angered/Easily angered. 3) Not easily irritated/Easily irritated.
After reviewing the results, researchers concluded that the men who scored in the high hostility range (a score of 13-15) were almost three times more likely to show symptoms of cardiac problems than the men who scored in the low hostility range. According to similar studies, hostile people are more likely to overeat, smoke, and drink alcohol.
People are often surprised by some of the things that can feed anger.
Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have asthma? Are any of your friends bodybuilders? Has anyone you know been depressed lately? Are you still thinking about going on a diet?
A range of drugs including caffeine, steroids, and medications for asthma, antidepressants, and diet drugs are known to make a people irritable and prone to excessive anger.
The number one source of rage for many, is constantly having to deal with stupid people. Ha! You know...like idiot drivers. Everybody has to deal with stupid people or smart people doing stupid things. There isn't much I can say about that except don't let idiots mess with your health.
If you want a few tips on effective anger and hostility management read my free ebook on anger, "Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger".
In closing, here are two things to keep in mind if someone or something is constantly irritating or angering you:
1. Anger can be bad for your health.
2. Don't rip up your t-shirt. You won't like your dad when he's angry!
"Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
The little guy, full of unbridled enthusiasm, put his best imitation angry face. Then he spun around to face the couch where his father was sitting and yelled, "Yeah, Dad! Don't make me angry! You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"
His son's face was so twisted and contorted that the father burst into laughter. Thinking that his father needed to understand that he was serious, the little guy started tearing off the t-shirt he was wearing. The father sat there for a split second. He was stunned and his amusement turned into anger. "Boy! What in the world is wrong with you?!"
With his play anger morphing into fear, the little guy meekly replied, "I...I'm The Incredible Hulk, Dad."
"If you ever tear up your clothes like that again you are definitely going to get something incredible--a butt-whuppin'!"
That was the day I decided to take the shirt ripping routine out my Incredible Hulk impersonation. Yup. That little guy was me.
When I was growing up, it seemed like getting angry always lead to one of two results. One, people thought that you were the cool, tough guy (or woman) type that you don't mess with. Or, two, they thought you were the overly sensitive, mindless monster moonlighting as a bully type.
You probably already know that anger is one of the most dangerous forces in existence. The seeds of war get planted, innocent people get killed, and countless harsh words are regretfully spoken because of unchecked anger.
Many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, probably realize that anger can cause a lot of damage in the external world. Few individuals, however, truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.
But before we explore some of the negative effects of mismanaged anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation.
If you are frustrated--which is a form of anger--because you made a mistake or blew an opportunity, your frustration can be the source of motivation you need to improve. If you believe that a loved one or anything you value (such as your car, your ego, or a belief) is being threatened, out jumps The Incredible Hulk to tell the culprit to scram or get smashed.
There are quite a few intangibles that people value which are often re-affirmed by displaying anger.
All positive aspects of anger aside, when suppressed or overly expressed, anger can wreak havoc on your well being. Research shows that every time you get angry more epinephrine (adrenaline) is released and your blood pressure increases.
In the same way a raging river erodes its banks, high blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries. What?! That is crazy.
Heart attacks are being linked to excessive anger and strokes are linked to suppressed anger. Researchers believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because, according to many cultures, it isn't proper behavior for women to show their anger. Supposedly, it's not "lady-like".
A review panel on coronary prone behavior and coronary artery disease (CAD) came to the conclusion that the effects of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are equal to and possibly greater than the effects of high serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure.
The bottom line is that too much hostility is bad for your health.
Million-Dollar Question: How hostile are you?
In a study of 3,750 men, researchers asked participants to rate themselves on a scale of 1-5 in three categories. 1) Seldom get into arguments/Often get into arguments. 2) Not easily angered/Easily angered. 3) Not easily irritated/Easily irritated.
After reviewing the results, researchers concluded that the men who scored in the high hostility range (a score of 13-15) were almost three times more likely to show symptoms of cardiac problems than the men who scored in the low hostility range. According to similar studies, hostile people are more likely to overeat, smoke, and drink alcohol.
People are often surprised by some of the things that can feed anger.
Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have asthma? Are any of your friends bodybuilders? Has anyone you know been depressed lately? Are you still thinking about going on a diet?
A range of drugs including caffeine, steroids, and medications for asthma, antidepressants, and diet drugs are known to make a people irritable and prone to excessive anger.
The number one source of rage for many, is constantly having to deal with stupid people. Ha! You know...like idiot drivers. Everybody has to deal with stupid people or smart people doing stupid things. There isn't much I can say about that except don't let idiots mess with your health.
If you want a few tips on effective anger and hostility management read my free ebook on anger, "Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger".
In closing, here are two things to keep in mind if someone or something is constantly irritating or angering you:
1. Anger can be bad for your health.
2. Don't rip up your t-shirt. You won't like your dad when he's angry!
About the Author:
Who else is looking for a fun, engaging and inspiring motivational speaker for youth? Then visit his site to find out about how Al Duncan, one of the world's leading motivational speakers for youth can help young people build a competitive advantage in the 21st Century.. This article, Can Anger Kill You? is released under a creative commons attribution license.
0 comments:
Post a Comment