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The
long version:
Emotional outbursts cause our adrenal glands to produce cortisol and adrenaline.
This in turn raises blood pressure, and increases the amount of glucose in the blood, along
with fat globules in the vessels. It’s meant to give a burst of energy and fuel for added strength.
(aka fight-or-flight) However, a continued supply confuses the stress responder in the brain (hippocampus) and causes
an inability to suppress the anger response. (This repeated elevation in blood pressure, and fat in the vessels, is how
anger increases the risk of Heart attacks and/or Heart disease.)
During fight-or-flight, the body shuts down gastrointestinal contractions
and chemical secretions are reduced. (FYI - Fear loosens your bowels. Anger bottles you up.)*
Muscles tighten, readying for a fight, constricting to the point of dysfunction.
(Hello neck and back pain, headaches, TMJ, brain fog...) The dysfunction remains long after your anger is gone.
Let’s revisit the Adrenal glands - which produce adrenaline, cortisol
and the hormone DHEA. Adrenaline affects the way your blood clots, which could increase
the risk of having a stroke. Cortisol not only makes you hungry
all the time, it also makes blood sugar rise. When there is a constant barrage, the body stores the excess
- a.k.a. creates fat deposits in the abdomen. DHEA leads to the production of male and female
sex hormones, which when imbalanced effects cortisol and aging. * In short, when the Adrenal glands are constantly taxed, they suffer from
exhaustion and cause physical fatigue. We end up moving less, and craving more sweets, just to give us a ‘boost.’
Anger, if well managed,
can push us towards positive changes in our lives. Unaddressed, it creates problems all around us.
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Abridged: Angry outbursts create physical fallout: High
blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, muscle tension/pain, weight gain,
premature aging... to name a few.
Massage is a healthy coping option, which can alleviate the fallout, bringing
you closer to overall well-being.
Think cause and effect. There are consequences to everything... You choose.
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How does massage
help?
Obviously, massage is not going
to fix what got you to that angry place... but it will ease the aches and pains anger creates. It will promote better
circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce the heart rate, decrease cortisol
levels, and increase serotonin - all of which reduces stress, anxiety and tension. Breathing
is relaxed, sleep is better, clarity and outlook improves.
Massage establishes a healthy effective coping skill... and the benefits are cumulative. Massage may
not fix what got you angry, but it certainly can quell trigger sensations while working through issues.
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