Posts tagged inflammation
Anger Part 2: Toxic or Tonic for Health?
Anger Part 2: Toxic or Tonic for Health?

Erik’s anger motivated him to act purposefully and advocate for countless others. Yet, the spark within him could ignite a blazing fire. He unintentionally wounded others with hurtful remarks, and burnt bridges he (figuratively) helped to construct. 

Anger can cause collateral damage to our health and relationships. Dysregulated anger results in impulsive acts of violence, hateful speech, destructive belief systems, and contagion effects with devastating consequences. Some people try to suppress their anger or internalize it, but it almost always makes its way to the surface.

Anger communicates with us when our boundaries are inadvertently crossed or blatantly violated. It not only connects us to our values (eg. fairness, integrity, compassion, etc) and what we care about most (eg. relationships, reputation, etc), anger also motivates us to take action. Although most of us don’t enjoy being angry, acknowledging our anger and its impact on us is an important part of defusing it’s harm and harnessing its power.

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Cultivating WellnessErin Masonanger, aggression, irritability, violence, displaced anger, passive aggression, inflammation, protective, values, advocacy, boundaries, differentiation, projection, manipulation, control, expression, emotion, mobilization
Anger Part 1: Where It Comes From and Why It Matters
Anger Part 1: Where It Comes From and Why It Matters

“If you're not angry, you’re not paying attention!” became Erik’s mantra. His face would turn crimson and the veins in his temples and neck would swell. Sometimes he would fester in silence, shaking his fist at the television, while his insides stewed like a pressure cooker. Other times his anger misfired, and he would snap at an unsuspecting bystander.

Whether it’s the political state of affairs, road rage, the inconsiderate neighbor who blasts their music at all hours, or racial/social injustices, anger affects us all. Many of us were taught to control, manage, or suppress it. Our experience of anger is connected to our perception of danger or threat, and it can activate our fight-or-flight response, creating inflammation in our bodily systems. However, if we pay attention, our anger is a great teacher. It’s a healthy emotion and an important and natural human response that offers important insight into who we are and what matters most to us.

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Self-DiscoveryErin Masonanger, values, anger management, rage, expression, irritability, emotional response, emotional regulation, inflammation, emotional activation, amygdala, fight-or-flight, threat, survival