Blog#65: Changing Anger into Energy
The divisive political
climate in this country is resulting in broken friendships and stressful family
gatherings. Each side thinks they are
right and that the ideas of the other side are wrong. People with opposing perspectives are
ridiculed or demonized. Anger abounds. Long-held anger can deplete energy and harm
health.
Anger is an emotion with a
lot of underlying energy. In contrast,
fear needs almost no supporting energy - we can be depleted and still feel fear,
but we must have energy reserves to feel a jolt of anger. Learning to constructively express or
transform anger can allow access to the underlying energy, which can be used to
improve our health and accomplish more of what we want in life.
Once anger arrives, the body
tenses, preparing for a possible argument or fight. The heart races and blood travels to the
extremities rather than nourishing the entire body. The gall bladder, a small, sack-like organ
located on the underside of the liver, receives and distributes bile and other
substances secreted by the liver. This gall bladder tends to contract intermittently
when a person is angry, and this can impede the flow of bile and other substances
secreted by the liver, thus interfering with the digestion of fat, and causing
abdominal or chest pain or sometimes acid reflux.
Since the liver holds more
blood than any other internal organ, when we hold on to anger, blood
circulation is impeded. Sometimes we
feel conflicted and guilty about thoughts and feelings set off by anger. Guilt sets up an internal struggle, which further
tenses the muscles and often blocks the flow of blood and energy, both in the
liver and throughout the body. We may
feel tired, and eventually become depressed.
Breathing is often impacted and the body no longer receives as much
oxygen as it needs for clear thinking and optimal health. Insomnia may develop or worsen. If
anger is stored in the body, rather than expressed or transformed, the adrenal
glands produce cortisol, adrenaline, and other stress hormones, and eventually
may become depleted. These developments
can impact the immune system, leading to respiratory infections and other, more
serious ailments.
From the perspective of
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is associated with anger and rage,
which are stored in the liver. A
clogged, poorly functioning liver and gallbladder give rise to more anger than
do healthy organs. The liver, already burdened
by anger which it is storing, also has to break down and rid the body of the
stress hormones secreted in response to anger and the accompanying emotions and
situations which may arise. This can
become a vicious circle.
Solutions to this problem are
many: improved nutrition can help the
liver and gall bladder become healthier.
Avoiding stressful situations and relationships, at least for a while,
can help the body and mind heal. Gentle
stretching exercises like Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, walking outside in nature,
making sure to breathe deeply, from the diaphragm, and maintaining good posture
while seated, standing and walking all can help the liver and gall bladder
become healthier. Gentle massage, chiropractic adjusting, acupuncture from a skilled practitioner, and sometimes
light weight lifting can be helpful.
Taking time at least once a day to sit quietly can help, as can trying
to see things from the perspective of someone with whom we are angry. When facing someone an "opponent",
we may not be able to express emotions intelligibly and constructively. In
this case, it might be helpful to channel the anger into some physical
activity, such as mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, taking a long walk or
working out at the health club. After anger is used up, we will usually find it easier to communicate and
negotiate. Following these suggestions
can help tap into the underlying energy that supports and constricts anger, and
can result in a higher energy level, better health, and a happier life.
This blog’s offer: come in for a free consultation to see if one
or more of the above approaches may help you gain more peace of mind, more
energy, and better health.
