A seven-year old boy was sitting in front of the TV in the living room playing with some of his toys. The year was 1979. After a commercial break, the little guy got extremely excited. His ears were being filled with one of the most famous lines television history and he could hardly contain himself as he repeated the line:
"Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
The little guy, full of unbridled enthusiasm, put his best imitation angry face. Then he spun around to face the couch where his father was sitting and yelled, "Yeah, Dad! Don't make me angry! You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"
Now the father couldn't contain himself. His son's face was so twisted and contorted that all he could do was laugh. Thinking that his father needed further convincing, the little guy started tearing his t-shirt and ripping it off. The father sat there for a split second. He was stunned for a second. Then amusement transformed into anger. "Boy! What in the world is wrong with you?!"
With his play anger morphing into fear, the little guy meekly replied, "I...I'm The Incredible Hulk, Dad."
"If you ever tear up your clothes like that again you're going to get an incredible butt-whuppin'!"
That was the day I decided to take the shirt ripping routine out my Incredible Hulk impersonation. Yup. That little guy was me.
When I was growing up, it seemed like getting angry always lead to one of two results. One, people thought that you were the cool, tough guy (or woman) type that you don't mess with. Or, two, they thought you were the overly sensitive, mindless monster moonlighting as a bully type.
Regardless of what you or I think about anger one thing is for sure. It's one of the most dangerous forces in existence. Nations have been practically destroyed, countless souls laid to rest, and many harsh words have been regretfully uttered because of anger gone unchecked.
Although many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, are probably well aware of the damage that anger can cause in the external world, few individuals truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.
But before we explore some of the negative effects of anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation.
If you are frustrated--which is a form of anger--because you made a mistake or blew an opportunity, your frustration can be the source of motivation you need to improve. If you believe that a loved one or anything you value (such as your car, your ego, or a belief) is being threatened, out jumps The Incredible Hulk to tell the culprit to scram or get smashed.
Self-esteem and respect are also examples of intangible things people value that are often re-affirmed as a result of displaying anger.
So, those are a few of the positive aspects of anger. Now let's look at a few of the negatives. When left unchecked or even when it's overly suppressed, anger can wreak havoc on your well being. Research shows that whenever you get angry more epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is released and your blood pressure rises.
FACT: High blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries the same way a raging river erodes its banks. That is bonkers!
Heart attacks are being linked to excessive anger and strokes are linked to suppressed anger. Researchers believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because, according to many cultures, it isn't proper behavior for women to show their anger. Supposedly, it's not "lady-like".
The findings of a review panel on coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary prone behavior showed that the impact of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are just as bad as the effects of cigarette smoking, high serum cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Hostility is bad for your health. No doubt about it.
Million-Dollar Question: How hostile are you?
In a study of 3,750 men, participants were asked to rate themselves on a scale of 1-5 in several categories. 1) Seldom get into arguments/Often get into arguments. 2) Not easily angered/Easily angered. 3)Not easily irritated/Easily irritated.
After reviewing the results, researchers concluded that the men who scored in the high hostility range (a score of 13-15) were almost three times more likely to show symptoms of cardiac problems than the men who scored in the low hostility range. According to similar studies, hostile people are more likely to overeat, smoke, and drink alcohol.
When people hear about some of the things that can increase anger levels, they are surprised.
Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have asthma? Are any of your friends bodybuilders? Has anyone you know been depressed lately? Are you still thinking about going on a diet?
Drugs such as caffeine, steroids, and medications for asthma, antidepressants, and diet drugs could make a person irritable and prone to getting angry.
The number one source of rage for many, is constantly having to deal with stupid people. Ha! You know...like idiot drivers. Everybody has to deal with stupid people or smart people doing stupid things. There isn't much I can say about that except don't let idiots mess with your health.
If you want a few tips on effective anger and hostility management read my free ebook on anger, "Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger".
In the mean time, if someone or something is driving you bonkers, before you do your best Incredible Hulk impersonation remember the two lessons you learned today:
1. It can be bad for your health.
2. Don't rip up your t-shirt. You won't like your dad when he's angry!
"Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
The little guy, full of unbridled enthusiasm, put his best imitation angry face. Then he spun around to face the couch where his father was sitting and yelled, "Yeah, Dad! Don't make me angry! You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"
Now the father couldn't contain himself. His son's face was so twisted and contorted that all he could do was laugh. Thinking that his father needed further convincing, the little guy started tearing his t-shirt and ripping it off. The father sat there for a split second. He was stunned for a second. Then amusement transformed into anger. "Boy! What in the world is wrong with you?!"
With his play anger morphing into fear, the little guy meekly replied, "I...I'm The Incredible Hulk, Dad."
"If you ever tear up your clothes like that again you're going to get an incredible butt-whuppin'!"
That was the day I decided to take the shirt ripping routine out my Incredible Hulk impersonation. Yup. That little guy was me.
When I was growing up, it seemed like getting angry always lead to one of two results. One, people thought that you were the cool, tough guy (or woman) type that you don't mess with. Or, two, they thought you were the overly sensitive, mindless monster moonlighting as a bully type.
Regardless of what you or I think about anger one thing is for sure. It's one of the most dangerous forces in existence. Nations have been practically destroyed, countless souls laid to rest, and many harsh words have been regretfully uttered because of anger gone unchecked.
Although many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, are probably well aware of the damage that anger can cause in the external world, few individuals truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.
But before we explore some of the negative effects of anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation.
If you are frustrated--which is a form of anger--because you made a mistake or blew an opportunity, your frustration can be the source of motivation you need to improve. If you believe that a loved one or anything you value (such as your car, your ego, or a belief) is being threatened, out jumps The Incredible Hulk to tell the culprit to scram or get smashed.
Self-esteem and respect are also examples of intangible things people value that are often re-affirmed as a result of displaying anger.
So, those are a few of the positive aspects of anger. Now let's look at a few of the negatives. When left unchecked or even when it's overly suppressed, anger can wreak havoc on your well being. Research shows that whenever you get angry more epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is released and your blood pressure rises.
FACT: High blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries the same way a raging river erodes its banks. That is bonkers!
Heart attacks are being linked to excessive anger and strokes are linked to suppressed anger. Researchers believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because, according to many cultures, it isn't proper behavior for women to show their anger. Supposedly, it's not "lady-like".
The findings of a review panel on coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary prone behavior showed that the impact of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are just as bad as the effects of cigarette smoking, high serum cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Hostility is bad for your health. No doubt about it.
Million-Dollar Question: How hostile are you?
In a study of 3,750 men, participants were asked to rate themselves on a scale of 1-5 in several categories. 1) Seldom get into arguments/Often get into arguments. 2) Not easily angered/Easily angered. 3)Not easily irritated/Easily irritated.
After reviewing the results, researchers concluded that the men who scored in the high hostility range (a score of 13-15) were almost three times more likely to show symptoms of cardiac problems than the men who scored in the low hostility range. According to similar studies, hostile people are more likely to overeat, smoke, and drink alcohol.
When people hear about some of the things that can increase anger levels, they are surprised.
Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have asthma? Are any of your friends bodybuilders? Has anyone you know been depressed lately? Are you still thinking about going on a diet?
Drugs such as caffeine, steroids, and medications for asthma, antidepressants, and diet drugs could make a person irritable and prone to getting angry.
The number one source of rage for many, is constantly having to deal with stupid people. Ha! You know...like idiot drivers. Everybody has to deal with stupid people or smart people doing stupid things. There isn't much I can say about that except don't let idiots mess with your health.
If you want a few tips on effective anger and hostility management read my free ebook on anger, "Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger".
In the mean time, if someone or something is driving you bonkers, before you do your best Incredible Hulk impersonation remember the two lessons you learned today:
1. It can be bad for your health.
2. Don't rip up your t-shirt. You won't like your dad when he's angry!
About the Author:
Who else is looking for a fun, engaging and inspiring youth speaker? Then visit his site to find out about how Al Duncan, one of the world's leading youth speakers can help young people build a competitive advantage in the 21st Century.. Also published at The Impact Of Anger On Your Health.
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