Anger is a very common emotion that most of us deal with. Anger exists for a reason. In certain cases when fighting for survival it can serve a useful purpose. However, in most cases in our modern lives anger is a corrosive emotion which tends to harm ourselves and others.
There are many common suggestions that are prevalent and widely accepted in dealing with anger. They tend to focus on the concept of letting off steam. The analogy of a vessel under pressure that may explode if the steam is not released. This concept is enticing. Many people tried and used non harmful aggressive behavior such as hitting a punching bag or screaming into a pillow. A detailed review of research reported in American Scientific Mind refutes the usefulness of this approach.
While this seems counter intuitive, the explanation is that anger is a form of arousal. Activities such as punching or screaming do not release the anger, they reinforce the arousal. A better approach is to engage in activities that reduce arousal. Some possibilities are deep breathing, listening to calming music or calming physical activity such as Yoga and Tai Chi. There are subtleties in engaging in more strenuous activities. Jogging was found to be unhelpful, possibly because of the repetitive nature of the activity, that allows for rumination. Group sports tended to be beneficial, possibly because of the need for cooperation and empathy, and because you need to be completely engaged.
So when rage overtakes you avoid the common myth of letting off steam, you are not a pressure cooker, and engage in calming activities.
According to Feeling Angry? Chilling Out Helps More Than Blowing Off Steam by SOPHIE L. KJAERVIK, BRAD BUSHMAN in Scietific American Mind April 8 2024.
