Losing Your Cool Can Be Dangerous To
Your Health
One of the keys to control anger is avoiding those triggering
situations, she said.
ORLANDO, FL -- November 10, 1997 -- Blowing off steam can
be extremely dangerous, according to a study that finds men
who get angry are almost twice as likely to have a stroke as
those who are better at diffusing their anger.
The study was presented today at the American Heart
Association's 70th Scientific Sessions. Researchers say this is the
first study to show a significant relationship between stroke and
high levels of expressed anger.
Many people still believe outward aggressive displays of emotion
are healthy ways to relieve anger and tension, but Susan
Everson, Ph.D., who reported the findings, said losing your cool
can be very hazardous to your health.
Everson, a research scientist in the department of epidemiology
at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor,
MI., examined the relationship between psychosocial behavior
and the number of actual strokes in 2,110 middle-aged men
whose average age was 53. The seven-year follow-up study took
into account such factors as age, blood pressure, smoking,
alcohol consumption, body mass index (a measure of body size),
history of diabetes and use of medications to control blood
pressure and high cholesterol.
Participants were drawn from the Kuopio Ischemic Heart
Disease Study in Eastern Finland, which examines behavioral,
psychosocial and traditional risk factors and their link to disease
including heart disease and stroke. Spielberger's Anger
Expression Scale, a self- report questionnaire, was used to
measure how participants in the study expressed their anger.
The study results should not be construed to mean going to the
opposite extreme -- suppressing anger rather expressing it -- is
healthy. "Holding your anger in can be dangerous too," she said.
"For example, suppressing anger has been associated with high
blood pressure."
Everson added it is normal to get angry at times. "Everyone
encounters situations that trigger anger. What is important is to
find ways to deal with anger and keep it from reaching explosive
levels."
One of the keys to control anger is avoiding those triggering
situations, she said.
"For example, if being stuck in a traffic jam sends you into a
rage, try to avoid peak traffic times, even if it means changing
your work schedule," she said. "Similarly, if waiting in line is
something that makes you very angry, try to plan your visits at
off-peak times in places such as the bank or post offices where
long lines are common."
It is important to recognize when feelings of anger or rage start
to build and then take steps to diffuse those feelings. She
encourages people to take deep breaths, count to 10 and
generally try to calm themselves before the feelings of anger
become overwhelming. Other constructive approaches to
managing anger include talking out the situation with a friend or
releasing frustration through physical exercise.
Males may be somewhat more inclined toward aggressive
displays of anger than females, Everson said. To find out, she
and her colleagues will soon launch a similar study of anger
styles as they relate to stroke risk in women.
erlbaum.com
pathfinder.com
Chill out dude before it's to late.
Mr Metals |
