Healthy living
Mind matters
Road rage
Getting stuck in a traffic jam, finding yourself in a mile-long queue in the local supermarket, being left hanging on at the other end of a telephone, sitting for hours in a stationary train have all become part of life in the new millennium
And it's enough to send stress - not to mention anger - levels soaring. There's no doubt about it - we live in angry times. But this is no way to lead your life and persistent stress in the long term can compromise your immune system and lead to bad health.
Body problems
Feeling angry all the time increases adrenaline, which releases sugar from your body's stores but doesn't use it up. Your body prepares for vigorous physical activity (either to fight or flee) but doesn't actually do it.
This raises blood pressure, deposits cholesterol in your arteries and makes you more prone to heart attacks and strokes. It also interferes with your digestion as well as your immune system, which can weaken your defences against cancer. Typical psychological symptoms include depression, anxiety and insomnia.
What to do
"If you feel anger is getting the better of you, the first thing to do is to work out the degree to which it is affecting you", says Gladeana McMahon, fellow of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
If you just go up like a balloon at the slightest thing, you would probably benefit from going on an anger management programme.
For most of us, however, losing it from time to time is the more common problem, and the most important thing is to recognise the warning signs. Then you can begin to work out how to get rid of any underlying stress and diffuse your rage before it gets to you.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
