Did you know that angry outbursts are bad for your heart?
In European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care, researchers studied 313 people who had suffered from acute coronary blockages and asked them about any angry episodes that they might have had in the 48 hours before their symptoms began. They discovered a link between angry outbursts and an increased risk of coronary blockages in the subjects:
Findings confirm that episodes of intense anger, defined as being ‘very angry, body tense, clenching fists or teeth’ (within 2 [hours]) are associated with increased relative risk for acute coronary occlusion. Additionally, increased anxiety was associated with coronary occlusion.
Managing one’s anger is an important part of becoming and staying healthy. And luckily, there are many ways to do so.
The Mayo Clinic offers some helpful strategies (see the link below for the full explanations of each point):
- Think before you speak
- Once you’re calm, express your anger
- Get some exercise
- Take a timeout
- Identify possible solutions
- Stick with “I” statements
- Don’t hold a grudge
- Use humour to release tension
- Practice relaxation skills
- Know when to seek help
Two things that the Mayo Clinic article doesn’t touch on, though, are the importance of DIET and SLEEP.
If we eat poorly, we have less energy because our bodies are lacking the essential nutrients needed to heal our cells and build new ones. Our bodies also become immune-deficient, so we end up spending much of our energy on healing known and silent infections.
When we don’t get sufficient sleep, our bodies do not have the time needed to heal and we wake up feeling bagged and beat down- even before our day has begun.
With poor nutrition and deficient sleep, our bodies are left feeling unwell and exhausted. We are quicker to anger because, frankly, we have little reserve left to deal with anything outside of a normal day, let alone added stress, anxiety and frustration.
That’s why getting lots of rest and committing to eating a healthy diet is so important in being able to control our anger- and ultimately, in supporting our overall health.
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
