Will anger cause stress?

Anger and stress, like many other things, are neither all good nor all bad. Anger can be an emotion that prompts you to activate when there is a problem. It can create a feeling of power within you that helps you tackle difficult tasks or situations. Stress, like anger, can have a positive side. Healthy stress, called eustress, can be positive in helping you take action on important things and often arises out of the normal situations of life, such as the stress of going on a first date.

If either of these gets out of balance, a problem can occur. Anger is a stress reaction, and so anger triggers the stress response cycle in the body. This means that anger can cause some of the same negative impacts that stress does for overall health. The cardiovascular system can be affected by anger and the stress it causes. People with more anger tend to have fewer friends, and friends can be a protective factor for loneliness, increasing stress and an increased risk of depression. Research on anger has shown an exaggerated stress response in angrier people. Anger may actually shorten your life, according to research. Stress shows many of the same downsides and headaches, low back pain, muscle tension, and poorer immune system health.

Anger is one of many emotions underlying stress. Since it and stress both have the potential to harm your physical and mental health, stress management and anger management may have equal shares of importance. There are some lifestyle recommendations that doctors and therapists often discuss with patients, including:

• Limiting or avoiding caffeine
• Limiting or avoiding other stimulants like nicotine and illegal substances that act as stimulants
• Getting regular exercise
• Participating in hobbies
• Increasing and improving positive communication skills
• Journaling
• Actively participating with friends in social activities
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Yoga

If you notice anger that dominates your life or stress that doesn’t seem to ease with lifestyle changes, or becomes a focus of each day, talking with a licensed counselor can help. Counseling is proven to help improve communication skills, help you identify and reach goals, improve relationships, and gives you a safe and supportive space to discuss anger, stress, and any other emotion or situation.