Cycle 7 Session 31 - What is Anger?

Self-Reflection Questions  

WHO does the word anger remind you of? 

WHAT does anger feel like inside your body? 

WHERE have you seen anger expressed in a healthy way?

WHY do you think we need anger to make it through life?

WHEN you're expressing anger, what does that look like?

HOW often do you find yourself getting angry, and is it productive?

Why we need anger

Trigger emotion- This emotion is one of your many emotions. What makes this emotion different is that it can trigger you when your basic needs are not being met and cause you to take action to fulfill them.  

Protection - Anger can act like a “big brother" emotion. Anger steps in to protect us when needed. Anger may give us the courage to say or do the things we may not have otherwise said or done.  

Survival -  Anger can show up during times of survival: the freeze, fight, or rescue reflex. That’s anger at work. (maybe not the frozen part lol)

Suppressed anger can cause a variety of physical and mental health issues. If you are unable to express your anger, talk to a health care professional. You may be dealing with (PTSS) post-traumatic stress syndrome, rage, or something else.

Self-Reflection Points 

• In some cases, anger may have been the only emotion that was safe for you to express. It's protected you from harm, so it became your frontline emotion. Now you can get rid of it without professional help.

• Has your anger ever been misplaced or misunderstood?  Maybe you are expressing it inappropriately. Trauma often affects the way you express your emotions.

• Living in or growing up in a hostile or unpredictable environment can also affect the way we express anger. We may react as if we are under attack or fear something and be in protection mode, whether there is a real threat approaching or not. (PTSS)

• Expressing deep levels of anger too often can affect your health. Pay attention to your body when you get very angry, touch where it hurts, and take deep breaths. Try to release the pain.

• Anger is necessary, like all of our emotions; we need it to function, but like other stuff, “too much sugar can disfavor a cake and make you sick.” In other words, your emotional recipe must have the right balance of each ingredient.

• If you're angry with someone, try to write it out. Don't react while you are still feeling angry; it's a hot emotion and can be easily elevated to rage or sadness. Cool down before addressing the issue. 

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" Proverbs 15:1 Holy Bible