Doc Meek

In addition to all the things we need to learn in school and in life, one important topic may need priority attention: our ANGER!

Image from: http://fromyourdoctor.com/ext/heart_damage.gif

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Today, July 3, 2010, we are publishing the first 1/2 of a guest article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, one of the internet’s most popular sources for solid knowledge about healthy lifestyles. Entire article from: http://www.healthiertalk.com/anger-can-be-deadly-2008

First 1/2 of Our Guest Article: Anger Can Be Deadly, by Dr. Joseph Mercola

The feeling of anger, like all emotions, is not isolated in your mind. The mental reaction triggers a cascade of physical reactions that extend throughout your body, including:

• Increases in heart rate, arterial tension and testosterone
• Decreases in cortisol (the stress hormone)
• Stimulation of your left brain hemisphere, which is involved in experiencing emotions related to closeness

Interestingly, the last finding, uncovered by researchers from the University of Valencia, suggests that although anger is perceived as a negative emotion, it actually prompts you to become closer to the object of your anger, likely as a means to stop the conflict. And when it comes to anger, resolving the upset is a very wise decision.

Why Unresolved Anger Can be Deadly

Anger is a normal emotion, one that all of us experience from time to time. It’s a feeling that evokes that well-known “fight-or-flight” response, preparing us to defend ourselves physically and psychologically in a conflict. Back when anger corresponded to real threats, this response could be lifesaving, but today it pushes your body into an overdrive mode that is almost always unnecessary.

As soon as you start to get “hot under the collar,” your body starts preparing for a “fight.” Your muscles get tense, your digestive processes stop and certain brain centers are triggered, which alters your brain chemistry.

The feeling of anger may actually help you make better choices — even if you are normally not great at making rational decisions — because anger can make you focus on that which is important, and ignore things that are irrelevant to the task of making a decision.

In the long run, and sometimes even the short term, however, this automatic response to anger can weaken your immune system and lead to a variety of health problems such as:

• Headaches
• Problems with digestion
• Insomnia
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Skin problems, such as eczema
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Not only that, but anger can lead to other negative emotions like bitterness, hopelessness, futility and overall sadness. Let’s face it — it’s hard to have a good time if you’re holding on to anger.

Feelings of Anger Damage Your Heart

It does not feel good to be angry, and this is a clue that this emotion is also likely damaging your body on a physical level.

This is especially true of your heart, and one study from Washington State University found that people over the age of 50 who express their anger by lashing out are more likely to have calcium deposits in their coronary arteries — an indication that you’re at a high risk for a heart attack — than their mellower peers.

Letting your anger out explosively may be harmful because it triggers surges in stress hormones and injures blood vessel linings.

However, simply holding in your anger isn’t the answer either; this has been linked to increases in blood pressure and heart rate. A new study even found that suppressing your anger may triple your risk of having a heart attack.

Since it’s a given that you’re going to experience anger from time to time, it’s very important for your health to have a healthy form of release. You don’t want to lash out violently but you don’t want to hold it in either … turns out the best solution is actually somewhere in the middle.

– Dr. Joseph Mercola (“Anger can be deadly” article to be continued)

I commented on Dr. Mercola’s article: “Dr. Mercola, I am very grateful for your article, “Anger can be Deadly.” As a learning specialist with THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, I’ve been writing about and teaching anger management for many years, and I’m glad to see that you are documenting the medical damage anger can cause. Thank you! – Doc Meek.”

Doc Meek, Saturday, July 3, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. The second 1/2 of this guest article from Dr. Joseph Mercola is now available on THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE blog, posted Sunday, July 11, 2010. If you wish to read that second 1/2  now, just click on the this URL:  “Anger Can Be Deadly [the solutions].” – Dr. Mercola

P.S.S. For more information on how to have a healthy heart, click on the associate links in my signature block below:

Associate Links: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam; PROTECT YOUR HEALTHY HEART: http://www.themeekteam.info

—
J Collins Meek, PhD
Email: docmeek@gmail.com
THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
>>> “What if you are smarter than you think?” >>>

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE blog: https://docmeek.com
Associate Links: http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
PROTECT YOUR HEALTHY HEART: http://www.themeekteam.info

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE (Dr J Collins Meek)
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