It Is Okay to Feel Angry
Anger is a natural, instinctual emotion activated by the limbic system in your brain. The limbic system is situated in the deeper, more primitive regions of your brain. It operates automatically, often without conscious awareness.
The primary function of anger is to quickly alert you to potential threats or violations of boundaries in your environment. This activation equips you with the motivation and courage needed to confront the problem.
Anger receives a bad rap and is often viewed by Western society as a “negative” and “inappropriate” emotion. From an early age, children are often punished for expressing anger and encouraged to push this emotion down and lock it away in an inaccessible part of their minds. The problem is that emotions can’t be locked away without consequence. Buried emotions will persistently knock at the locked door. Eventually, they seep into consciousness and can be experienced as anxiety, self-criticism, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, and depression.
It is important to understand that anger is not aggression or violence. While aggression and violence can stem from anger, they can also arise from heightened anxiety. Anger, on the other hand, embodies assertiveness. Assertiveness can be seen as tempered anger.
When you are taught to lock away anger, you inadvertently suppress your assertiveness, making it difficult to protect your boundaries effectively. This can leave you vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, as conflict is avoided over standing up for your needs.
Remember, it’s okay to feel anger. Understanding and embracing your anger can liberate you from anxiety and depression, leading to healthier emotional expression and overall well-being.
About the author
Tyrone is a clinical psychologist, nutritionist, and qualified chef with an interest in holistic health and wellbeing. Tyrone’s special interests include eating behaviour, disordered eating, weight management, insomnia, and anxiety.
