Some of us have serious anger problems, while many of us simply need to vent after an argument with the better half, or after a bad day at work. While anger management is important and there are many healthy ways of channeling anger instead of resorting to violence, some methods are just more effective than others.
It would be logical to assume that working out when angry would be one of the best ways to get rid of that aggression in a positive manner. After all, what better release could you ask for than to punch a boxing bag mercilessly when angry? So, what do the experts have to say about working out angry?
Working Out When Angry
“Researchers found that high intensity workouts during periods of intense stress or anger tripled the risk of a heart attack”
Exercise is a natural stress buster that helps to alleviate a range of negative feelings through the release of endorphins. It therefore seems like the natural solution to a bad day at work or a nasty argument with the spouse. These beliefs were shattered with a study that appeared in the journal Circulation, forcing us to rethink our approach to such scenarios.
What’s notable about the study is that it was truly representative of a global population, with over 12,000 participants from 52 countries! The researchers were investigating heart attack triggers and risks leading up to cardiac arrest and they found that the risk actually tripled when you exercise rigorously during a period of high stress or anger.
Although there are various other factors at play, individuals who already suffer from heart disease are particularly vulnerable to triggers like over exertion or stress – working out angry therefore increases the risk of heart attacks for such individuals threefold.
How Exercising When Angry Raises Heart Attack Risk
“Both physical stress from exercise & emotional stress cause constriction of blood vessels reducing availability of blood flow; when blood flow to the heart is inadequate it causes a heart attack”
Both triggers, emotional and physical, have a very similar effect on the body, raising blood pressure and heart rate, altering blood flow through the blood vessels and reducing the availability of blood to the heart. In cases where the individual already suffers from arterial disease, with thickening of the artery walls, the blood flow can be restricted severely enough to cause a heart attack.
As the researchers point out, high-intensity exercise offers a variety of health benefits, but it’s important that you know your limits. Most people tend to over exert and push themselves too far when angry or upset and this can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. As cardiologists warn, both physical and emotional stressors can be threatening to heart health.
Our Take
In a perfect world we may be able to avoid situations that cause extreme stress, anxiety, or anger, but we don’t live in such a world. While exercise is still one of the healthiest outlets for any kind of distress, these findings actually highlight the importance of the mind body connection. Be more conscious of your emotional and physical state, using meditative practices, breathing exercises, and warm-up routines to calm down and ready your body for the workout, instead of just diving in.
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