Men & Anger

For better or for worse, anger is one of the predominant emotions that men in our (U.S.) culture are welcome to express.  The problem lies in that it seems that due to our definitions of masculinity, emotions such as compassion, empathy and patience are less celebrated for men, leaving us with a great imbalance.  There is some research out there that anger is a big problem in men’s physical (as well as emotional) health and can contribute to arterial plaque build up leading to a heart attack or stroke.  If that isn’t a reason to seek support for anger management then I don’t know what is.

In the past I’ve found myself more often on the other end of the scale, not properly acknowledging my anger and frustrations which unfortunately, can have those same adverse health consequences. These days, it is something I try to be more conscious about as the emotional and physical benefits of expressing myself honestly are very important to me. I’ve found that authenticity is very helpful in establishing more intimate, meaningful relationships. So if you find yourself or someone in your life experiencing explosive bouts of anger and aggression, its best to seek support as soon as possible to learn ways to channel that energy into productive  activities such as being assertive and exercising (both can reduce stress!).

For more information and tips on how to handle stress, check out WebMd’s article “Anger Control for Men.” If you find it difficult to manage your anger you may also want to consider seeking out professional help. Check out Psychology Today’s Find A Therapist tool.