A NEW LEASE—on Life! – July 2011

A NEW LEASE—on Life!

By Judit Rajhathy, B.A., RNCP, D.Ac.

Anger – Our Worst Enemy

 

angerAnger is the real destroyer of our good human qualities; an enemy with a weapon cannot destroy these qualities, but anger can. Anger is our real enemy. –Dalai Lama

The other day I was the recipient of an unfair blast of anger and I noticed very quickly how damaging anger can be  – not only to the recipient but even more to the person who delivers it.  This particular person is known in the area to have outbursts, especially when he feels he is not getting what he wants when he wants – not unlike a small child whose similar behavior manifests in overt tantrums. Not only does anger destroy our good human qualities but it also takes its toll on our physical well-being.

You feel your face redden and your pulse races as someone cuts you off in traffic.  You lie awake at night enraged at the behavior of one of your friends … you lose your temper at the least little thing and in the back of your mind you keep thinking about how terrible your childhood was . . . tirade after tirade – yes, you are an angry person and have no idea how detrimental these feelings can be.

Physical Effects of Anger

Your body goes into a fight or flight mode and instantly release adrenalin, dopamine, cortisol, noradrenalin and endorphins creating negative effects especially on the sympathetic nervous system such as constriction of the blood vessels as well as the intestines and may even shut off digestion.  Constant angry outbursts can suppress thyroid function resulting in a slowing down of the body’s metabolic function; can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels; can raise your heart beat; can create a blood sugar imbalance; and can even impair the brain’s ability to think clearly.

Muscles become tight, resulting in headaches, grinding and clenching of teeth, migraines, and since the heart is also a muscle, can cause heart attacks.  Obesity and kidney failure are also possibilities.  Prolonged anger is directly connected to skin conditions such as rashes, acne, eczema, hives and warts and many studies have proven that when underlying anger is resolved so too do these conditions.

Suppressed anger can also result in addictions, insomnia, eating disorders, depression, self-destructive behaviors in relationships.  People who are focused on their problems and pain cannot move forward to fully enjoy life.

Some Natural Solutions

Therapy – can deal with repressed anger by helping to release it

EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique – a tapping approach that releases blockages caused by anger over many years – can be a very quick resolution

Talking – with friends once in a while about whatever ails you  can help to diffuse anger, especially if it is not deep rooted.

Anger management – some clinics deal specifically with this issue

Meditation – helps to calm the body and mind and by focusing on the breath allows some time between an event and the reaction to the event

Practicing forgiveness – especially for old issues that created the anger in the first place

Living in Mexico where we are forever learning patience and to let go of just about everything – “No importa” and “manana” are the mantras that we North Americans are here to learn.  So listen up!

and can be reached at rajhathy@gmail.com or 765-4551.

 


For more information about Lake Chapala visit: chapala.com


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