We tend to think of anger as a wild, negative emotion, but anger also has a positive side. Our consciousness is in constant communication with our heart, so when we’re angry, a surge of norepinephrine and dopamine courses through our vessels, causing them to constrict and causing our heart to race. This fight or flight state allows our body to deliver oxygen more readily to our muscles, turns off digestion, and inherently increases our chances of survival if we are faced with a threat. The human body also uses anger to recognize injustice. When we witness cruelty and inequity take place, our body and our heart are designed to cultivate a fight or flight state to aid us in either standing up to the injustice or to escape it. We can learn to channel our frustrations with any injustice we witness in a constructive way when we learn to identify with the action or actions that may be driving us into that fight or flight state (e.g., the recent events that have been taking place in and around the U.S). Identifying with the action or actions that cause you discomfort, and silently choosing to condemn that action in your heart (by denouncing and disapproving of it entirely), aids us in purify our own intentions. It is important however to condemn actions, not ourselves or other people. Actions are the result of different behaviors, behaviors can be learnt, unlearnt and relearnt over time (this means that humans always have the potential to change and grow). Condemning actions that can be harmful to others or to ourselves can inherently teach us to treat ourselves as well as our brothers and sisters with more respect and love. It also helps our heart beat in a calmer and more organized manner.
With this in our minds and in our hearts, let’s make the intention to channel our anger and frustrations in a way that can allow us to open our hearts and to address the discomfort of our pains in a mature way! It takes a resilient heart to face ones emotions.
Written by Student Doctor: @medspired ©01/22/2017 All Rights Reserved.
Inspired by: Recent events that have transpired in my beautiful nation.
