A Psychologist Says This Trending Way to Handle Anger May Actually Be Good for Your Heart

For those moments when your temperย reaches the brink, a mental health expertโ€”along with a former NCAA Division I team physicianโ€”reveal the heart-healthy upsides of letting it out.

Fired up much?

Been finding yourself a little extra quick to anger? Well, maybe it’s no wonder that intense cardio workouts like the Peloton grew so popular at the very moment in history when much of humanity was cooped up, stressed out, and in need of some healthy outlet.

It turns out, the collective need to blow off some steam is a very real thing. An NPR Health Pollย conducted by IBM Watson Health in 2019โ€”which wasย beforeย the emotional upheaval of the pandemicโ€”found 84 percent of people perceived that Americans have been angrier in the past few years compared to a generation ago. Even more recently, aย 2021 survey by the American Psychological Associationย suggested people have been feeling more stressed, anxious, and emotional than ever.

Whewโ€”that alone is a lot to take in, and it’s not like anyone’s excited to be part of these continued trends. Especially when you consider the recent research that shows mental health and cardiovascular disorders are growing more and more associated, it seems we need to identify healthy ways to work through big feelings.

To that end, experts suggest turning to an active physical outlet can have a cathartic effect on your physiology by facilitating the literal release of pent-up anger and stress. (For further evidence, read up on the rise inย rage rooms.)

How does anger affect your health?

Just a few examples of when anger can be problematic are when you experience it chronically, don’t have a healthy outlet for channeling it, or express it in a way that’s harmful to you, anyone, or anything. Knowing how to manage angerโ€”andย knowing when you should vent itโ€”is essential not just for your mental health and the wellness of the people around you, but also for a healthy heart. As psychologistย Alfiee Breland-Noble, PhD, tells The Healthy:ย “There are well-established links between stress and trauma exposure as [being] detrimental to heart health.”

On the other hand, she says, “There are also well-established links between physical activity and positiveย heart health.” Dr. Alfiee adds that finding a vigorous outlet to blow off steam may lowerย overall stress, which can serve to improve your heart health.

Feel better already? Read onโ€”and, if this spurs you to get moving, browse theย 12 Best Small Treadmills for Your Home or Apartment, According to Fitness Experts. (A few even cost less than $300.)

The best kind of exercise to manage anger is this…

Strong woman pushing tire while exercising in backyardThe Good Brigade/Getty Images

Christopher Varacallo, DO, CAQSM, FAAFPโ€”a sports medicine physician in DuBois, PA, and former NCAA Division I women’s basketball team physicianโ€”calls exercise a “magic bullet” when it comes to managing stress and anger.

But is there a particular type of exercise that’s most effective for managing stress? Here’s this doc’s take: “Aerobic exercise, in particular, can reduce stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also can increase the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood elevators.”

Just about anyone who’s ever ended a rotten Monday with a good, heart-pumping workout would probably agree. Want to add some pep to your step and combat those doldrums? Check out our “I Tried It” on theย rebounder trampoline.

Another smart reason exercising to manage emotions can be so beneficial

The other heart-smart side of exercising? Unlike other parts of your day, this window designated for self-care is your time to choose with whom you want to spend itโ€”if anyone at all. “Exercise can provide an escape as a way to enjoy some solitude,” Varacallo saysโ€”adding that if you need this space to vent, getting moving can instead “connect you with others and build a social network.” (If you choose to tune out the world and listen to something good, you may just want to keep in mind an audiologist’s cleverย wireless earbud rule.)

For those who aren’t so into making a fierce commitment to sweat it out on a daily run or in a Crossfit class, Varacallo says how you choose to exercise is less important than just making sure you do it. “Any type of exercise or physical activity will doโ€”the most important thing is to move,” he says. “Go for a walk and connect with nature. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.” These little lifts can inspire you to stay in motion. “Start small,” Dr. Varacallo says, “and soon, it will become part of your life. The type of activity is less important. The consistency and making it part of your routine are key.”

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Adam Meyer
Adam is a health writer, certified holistic nutritionist, and 100% plant-based athlete. In addition to The Healthy, he has published with outlets such as The Beet, Livestrong, and others. With his wife and their two kids, Adam lives in British Columbia, Canada. Thatโ€™s where you can usually find him running mountain trails, working out in his home gym, or writing in a coffee shop.