Samina Tariq Khan. Calgary
Anger is a strong emotion and can have negative effect on our health and wellbeing. Just like fear, excitement and anxiety, anger triggers the body’s fight or flight response. “The adrenal glands release stress hormone such as adrenaline and cortisol. During the anger burst the brain diverts blood away from the gut and towards the muscles. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration increase, the body temperature rises, and the skin perspires. [1] Some of the short and long-term health problems that have been linked to unmanaged anger include high blood pressure, headache, digestive issues, insomnia, anxiety, stress, etc.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine diabetes is linked with emotions of anger stored in the liver. According to Traditional Chinese medicine our physical body organ is associated with an emotion causing balance or imbalance in our body. Like “Liver and gallbladder with anger, Heart and small Intestine with depression, anxiety over excitement, too much joy, Spleen and stomach with worry, Lungs and large Intestine with sadness and grief, Kidneys, and bladder with fear”.
Well-managed anger can be a useful emotion that motivates you to make positive changes and take control of your life. Beneficial steps to follow:
“If you feel out of control, walk away from the situation temporarily, until you cool down.[1]
Regular Exercise: Regular exercise has beneficial effect on mood management and reducing stress levels.
Relaxation: Learn relaxation techniques
Counselling: Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling”.[1]
Write Down: Keep a diary of your anger outbursts, Identify the problem, then draw some strategies to solve the issue.
Go outdoor for a run or playing a sport.
Do not Argue: Ibn Abbas said, “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said, Teach and make it easy. Teach and make it easy, three times. He went on, ‘When you are angry, be silent’ twice.” [Grade Sahih (Al- Albani) Al Adab Al Mufrad 1320].
Calm Down: Narrated Abu Dharr, “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: When one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise, he should lie down. [grade: sahih (AlBani). Sunan Abi Dawud 4782]
Say Words of Protection: Mu`adh bin Jabal narrated,” “that one of the two men cursed the other next to the Prophet (ﷺ), until anger could be recognized in the face of one of them. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Verily, I know a statement, that if he were to say it, his anger would leave: ‘I seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, the rejected (A`ūdhu billāhi minash-shaiṭānir-rajīm).’” [Grade Sahih (Darussalam) Jami at Tirmidhi 3452. Book 48, Hadith 83]
Perform Ablution: Muhammad ibn as-Sa’di. A man spoke to him and made him angry. So, he stood and performed ablution; he then returned and performed ablution, and said: My father told me on the authority of my grandfather Atiyyah who reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created of fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when one of you becomes angry, he should perform ablution. [ Grade Daif (Albani. Sunan Abi Dawud 4784 , Book 43 Hadith12].
Forgive: “And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive”. [ The Poets-Ash-Shuara – 37]
Ibn Umar narrated: The Messenger of Allah said, “there is no sip greater in reward near Allah than the sip of anger, the servant suppresses it seeking the pleasure of Allah. [Ibn Maja, kitab as zuhd 4189]
Good Nutrition: Nutrition plays an important role to keeps the body healthy and mind calm. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium rich foods are beneficial. They help relieve anxiety, tension, nervousness, and muscular spasms. You can deal better in stressful situations when you have strong nerves and strong body.
Reference:
1.http://www.better health.vic.gov.au/health/healthy living/anger-how-it-affect-people
2. Soul Mind Body Medicine by Dr. Zhi Gang Sha (May2006)
3.Sunnah.com
