A survey taken back in 2018
showed that 22% of its participants reported feeling angry, while 39% felt
extremely worried. And while anger is a state of mind that is necessary for our
survival, it often gets out of hand when our stress levels increase. And it can
have many physical symptoms that we rarely realize until they have progressed
quite a bit.
1. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase.
You may have noticed that your heart rates increase whenever you
raise your voice in a heated argument. This means that your blood pressure
rises too, and that's why you look flustered, with red cheeks and veins popping
out of your skin. You're also breathing faster and deeper, which helps oxygen
and nutrients reach your significant organs. You may notice that your hands and
feet are colder than usual in some cases.
2. Your immune system takes a hit.
Scientists found that recalling a heated argument from the past
can lower your immune defenses for up to 6 hours. And this is especially true
for people who are usually calm, and anger is rare for them. People with a weak
immune system may notice that they get sick more often if they get angry
quickly. That, accompanied by their increased anxiety, puts their health at
significant risk without realizing it until it's too late.
3. Anger creates a variety of health problems.
When we get angry, stress chemicals flood our brains and bodies
and keep changing our metabolism. As a result, those who have untreated anger
issues may suffer headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and even digestive disorders.
Skin conditions, such as eczema might also appear during times of extreme
anger. As a result, these people are at a high risk of stroke and heart attack.
4. Your memories might get affected.
It's not only physical head trauma, like the kind you can
experience while playing football, that affects people's memories, but also
increasingly stressful situations. One of those is having an angry verbal
conversation with someone where you both exchange harsh words. After the
altercation is over, one or both of you might remember things differently or
have forgotten entirely sure stuff.
5. Yelling can cause chronic pain.
Yelling isn't only bad for those who do it and those who receive
it; the damage can start from a very young age. Shouting at kids can be harmful
to them in several ways.
Their behaviour problems can get worse. According to some studies,
parents who often yelled at their 13-year-old kids noticed even worse behaviour
the following year.
Their brain development changes. People who have been yelled at a
lot during their childhood seem to have a different brain structure in the
parts that process sound and language.
They can suffer from chronic pain. Some of the issues that might follow them for the rest of their lives include back and neck pain, headaches, and even arthritis.