Anger, pain, hurt! We have all felt it, fought with it, and most of us strive to be rid of it. Unfortunately, some people painstakingly endeavor to cling to the pain and anger that has welled up inside of them because of the hurt that has engulfed their heart.

They believe that holding on to the anger will protect them from further hurt, in hopes of feeling better. But, repressing anger is harmful and only grows within you and increases the pains intensity.

Anger is a horrible, powerful emotion and can destroy your body, your life, your happiness and your joy. Continuous anger will consume you emotionally, physically and spiritually. It can even kill you due to the wear and tear it has on your body.

Anger - The Cortisol Elevator

Feelings of anger, irritation and hostility create harmful chemical changes in our bodies. Cortisol is the body's main stress hormone (our natural "flight or fight" response), and is made by our adrenal glands. It helps your body respond to stress, regulates blood sugar, and fights infections.

When angry emotions are experienced our bodies release elevated levels of cortisol. When cortisol is too high, it causes headaches, and increases our heart rate and blood pressure, breathing and blood flow to our muscles, weakens our immune system, and decreases serotonin, the hormone that makes us happy.

According to the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, a decrease in serotonin makes you feel anger and pain more easily, as well as increases aggressive behavior and leads to depression.

How much anger are you striving to hold on to thinking it is protecting you?

Anger - The Social Divider

Have you ever been around someone who is always angry. Their face distorts, their jaw clenches, their eyebrows furrow, their skin reddens? They talk bad about everyone, and you have to watch carefully every word you say, or they will be offended and get angry, and spew nasty remarks your way.

No one wants to be around angry people. They are negative, ornery, and their bad company and attitude will put you in a bad mood. These people are lonely people, and loneliness is another health eradicator.

Human beings are social creatures and require interaction with other people. Human connections are so important. According to a new study of social isolation published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, going without human contact for too long can literally break your heart.

Without loving people and interacting with them there are health consequences like: depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life.

Anger - The Skin Eradicator

Anger produces high levels of cortisol, which can destroy the production of collagen, the main structural protein in skin and a key element for skin healing. When collagen is destroyed, the skin loses elastin which accelerates the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.This can also lead to skin thinning, and stretch marks. Some of these are irreversible.

So you see that letting our blood boil can lead to premature aging and breakouts. Since ancient civilization, the link between emotions and skin-health has been studied and documented. They concluded that a furious mind can be as destructive as the glaring sun is to our skin.

So, it matters not how many creams and serums, or face-masks you use on your skin, if you don't take control of your insistent anger, it will be to no avail. The choice if up to you.

Healing Insistent Anger

The rage that has boiled up within you is going to explode one day, like a pressure cooker, and destroy everything around you, including yourself. So you need desperately to get rid of it as soon as you can, so you can heal from the pain that you are causing yourself.

There is good anger and bad anger. Anger is a normal human response to anything we perceive to be an injustice or offense. Surely we get angry when someone endangers something we love. Or when someone condemns us or treats us respectively. Or when we witness cruelty, injustice, and betrayal, etc.

But anger will become uncontrollable and toxic if we keep it bottled up inside. Therefore, avoid suppressing your anger. There are some things that you just need to let roll off of your shoulders and not internalize or act on.

1. Be careful who you let into your life and what bad behaviors you're willing to accept. Weather you believe it or not, they will affect you, and you'll become like them - and you don't want that.

2. Do not cling to hatred nor seek revenge. It will always come back to haunt you. Forgive and let go so your wounds can heal.

3. Do not replay in your mind hurtful events or analyze them. Holding on to those negative emotions will keep your cortisol elevated and damage your health overtime.

4. Do not allow your mind to wander. Take control of your thoughts and cast every mental image down and give it to God, and say NO, I'm not thinking those thoughts.

5. Learn to control your emotions. There is power in self-control.

6. When your temper flares, practice relaxation techniques. Try deep-breathing exercises. Picture a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase, such as "Take it easy." Listen to music, write in a journal or do a few stretching exercises - whatever it takes to encourage relaxation.

Conclusion

The best immediate response to a hurtful act is usually an assertive one, but the best response is always to let it go. It isn't easy to let go of our hurts, but it's always best for our health and well-being.