EXERCISE 2

HEALTH : ANGER MANAGEMENT

Anger is an aggressive emotional state that ranges from mild irritation and annoyance to intense fury and rage. Anger causes our heart rate, blood pressure, energy hormones and adrenaline to escalate. Both extreme display of anger and suppressed anger can be detrimental to our general well-being in the long run.

            When we are angry, we respond aggressively. Anger is a natural way to defend ourselves whenever we feel intimidated, threatened, attacked or unfairly treated. It is a natural response to these difficult situations in order to stay sane. However, it is not an excuse for us to lash out verbally or physically at whoever or whatever is annoying us. There are laws and social norms that place limits on how far our anger can take us. Common sense also tells us that we need to control our anger to protect our health.

            Dealing with anger requires both conscious and unconscious processes. The three main approaches are expressing, suppressing and calming. Expressing our anger is an assertive manner is a healthy way to express anger. This does not mean that we have the licence to be aggressive, pushy or demanding. It simply means we express our needs or our dissatisfaction without hurting others either physically or emotionally. We need to learn how to express our anger and at the same time be respectful of others and, most importantly, of ourselves.

            Another approach to dealing with anger is to suppress the anger by redirecting our thoughts and emotions. The aim is to inhibit our anger and convert it into more constructive behavior. Once we are calm, we can deal with the situation again in a more controlled manner. However, the danger of walking away during times of anger is that is may cause our anger to turn inward, making us susceptible to hypertension, high blood pressure or dispression. Unexpressed anger can lead to passive-aggressive behavior. We become perpetually cynical, critical and hostile without even realizing it.

            A good way to manage anger is the calming approach. This means not just controlling our outward behavior but also controlling our internal responses. Deep breathing and visualizing relaxing images can lower our heart rate, calm us, and allow our feelings to subside. We cannot get away from things or people that enrage us and we cannot change them, but we can learn to control our anger.

Source: http://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control

1. Intense anger can cause a stroke.

A. true

B. false

C. not stated

2. We may react aggressively when we feel people are biased againt us.

A. true

B. false

C. not stated

3. We should lash out or hit the person who irritates us whenever we feel offended.

A. true

B. false

C. not stated

4. Expressing our anger in an assertive manner is a healthy way to express anger show that we can express our anger

A. in an aggressive manner

B. in an emotional manner

C. in a controlled manner

5. The word inhibit in text mean

A. exhibit

B. suppress

C. transform

6. The risk of redirecting or suppressing anger may result in

A. hostile behavior

B. hyperactive behavior

C. self-destructive behavior

7. The best way to manage anger is

A. to learn to control anger

B. to avoid a tense situation

C. to educate irritating people