A N G E R ???????

ANGER:

By Swami Avadhutananda, Sikkim,India

Definition: Anger is defined as an intense attachment for an object when expressed towards an obstacle that comes between us and our object of attachment. It is also defined as revenge taken on ourselves by us for somebody else’s mistakes, since it is our temperature and blood pressure that rises, it is our body that shakes and our eyes that become bloodshot.

What Anger Does: Anger increases the rate of respiration. The rise in blood pressure also leads to sudden headaches. In the long run the elevated blood pressure raises the chances of heart attack. Researchers from the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) in Baltimore have found that people who are angry and aggressive face a greater risk for heart attack and stroke. These people showed a greater thickness of the carotid arteries in the neck, a key risk factor for heart attack or stroke, compared with people who were calm and tranquil. According to the researchers, hostility and anger emerged as the dominant predictor of coronary artery disease.

As the body temperature goes up one may also experience sweating. Expression of anger needs energy; as a result one feels tired. In the process, the level of stress hormone shoots up, further aggravating that 'down and out' feeling. As a result, one's productivity takes a nosedive and work suffers. With so much negativity in the head, getting a good night's sleep is almost impossible. Even if one manages to fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion the quality will not be close to what one's body and mind needs. Lack of sleep and anger works in cyclical fashion. When one is angry, one doesn't sleep well and lack of sleep leads to a foul state of mind which can trigger anger. Insomnia and other sleep disorders come with their own share of health problems. Being in a constant worked up state may lead to depression. This can trigger off a series of potentially harmful behavioral pattern such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. Sometimes people prone to anger use it to fight that feeling of depression and helplessness. Anger is not a natural and healthy state of mind and when it turns into a regular phenomenon, ill effects are bound to follow.

Losimg our cool occassionally is one thing, but when flare-ups become an everyday phenomena, the ones on the receiving end will start distancing themselves. We are then in the danger of becoming socially ostracized. In the office environment we will lose the respect of our subordinates and our boss will view us as someone without any control over emotions. Anger clouds our faculty of discrimination. We are too caught up reacting to the immediate and lose focus of the true nature of the problem. In fact, when one ought to be channelizing energies towards solving the problem, one will be doing just the opposite. We cannot see the issue from a different perspective and there are high chances that we may end up taking the wrong decision which could prove disastrous.

Anger also slows down the healing process in case of wounds, injuries and surgeries. Anger stimulates the secretion of cortisol hormone. High levels of cortisol appear to decrease the production at the point of injury of two cytokines crucial to the repair process. So it is always beneficial to maintain tranquility.

Some quotations regarding anger:

“From anger arises delusion, from delusion, confusion of memory, from confusion of memory, loss of reason and from loss of reason one goes to complete ruin.” –Bhagavad Geeta 2.63

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”—Lord Buddha
“Forget anger towards all who have offended you, for from anger springs a multitude of wrongs.”—Thiruvalluvar, Thirukural 303

“Anger ventilated often hurries towards forgiveness and concealed often hardens into revenge.”—E. G. Bulwer-Lytton

“He, who angers you, controls you!”

“For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.” JALA

CHIKITSAA
(Hydropathy / Water Therapy)

Water treats anger and impatience. It will be under control once the body becomes well and regularly hydrated. In this condition, exercising one's muscles should be part of the treatment program.

Only pure water and no other fluids can rectify dehydration completely. See Chapter 7 for details on water therapy procedure.

Diet: Strictly avoid steroids. Delete all non-veg food, milk and dairy products from daily diet. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Have a vegan diet. There should be at least 2 to 3 litres of pure water intake daily. This quantity may have to be adjusted as the water loss may vary according to the weather conditions and individual constitution and lifestyle. On an average, we lose 2.5 litres of water through various excretory processes daily.

FOODS THAT INDUCE TRANQUILITY

Bottle Gourd (Louki / Dudhi): Cooked bottle gourd imparts tranquility and a feeling of relaxation after eating it.

Celery (Ajivain-ka-patta): The juice of celery leaves, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, should be taken at night before retiring. It will help one to become calm and relax into a soothing and restful sleep.

Lettuce (Kahu / Kasmi-saag / Salaad pattaa): This salad plant is highly calming and sedative food, especially its juice.

Oats (Jav): This cereal induces tranquility and sleep. This is especially good for those suffering from nervous exhaustion. Its excessive use should be avoided.

Serotonin: Valuable sources of serotonin are avocados, figs and walnuts.
Serotonin calms and relaxes.

Thiamine Rich Foods: This is vital for strong and healthy nerves. This is found in cereals, pulses, kernel fruits, beans and nuts.

Winter Cherry / Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha): It is an effective herb which helps in keeping oneself relaxed and cheerful. One or two capsule a day should be taken with meal. However, those on sedatives and women who are pregnant or those who breast-feed or plan to start a family should not use it.