Anger, one of our basic human emotions, tied to basic survival over the course of history and related to our sympathetic nervous system, our body’s fight-or-flight response.
Anger is natural. When we are angry, the left hemisphere of our brain becomes more stimulated, cortisol decreases, heart rate, arterial tension and testosterone production increases thereby affecting our emotional, physical and cerebral state. Prolonged release of these stress hormones can weaken the immune system and destroy areas of the brain associated with judgment and short-term memory.
The opposite of anger is gentleness, leniency, forbearance, charity, calmness, love. A state where nothing disturbs you, instigates you, where you are at peace with yourself and you make peace with others around you thereby engaging your parasympathetic nervous system controlling homeostasis and our body’s rest-and-digest response.
How do we find balance? Communicate skillfully, be compassionate, self-aware, focus on resolution, not blame, positive self-talk, breathe, think before you speak, remove yourself if necessary.
Empathy is the ability to truly be present and hold a safe space for others, to meaningfully connect. Leverage diversity and create opportunity.#wellbeing#mindfulness#immunity