Of all the ways we’ve evolved as a species, our response to anger is still hopelessly primitive. When we’re angry, our brain first suppresses our amygdala (the center for rational thought), then pumps us with adrenaline. As a result we become indiscriminately punitive, irrational, overconfident and eager to take action.
The anger response may have worked well during our spear-heaving cave days, but in today’s society it’s a tremendous liability costing jobs and lives. How do we battle this burden?
Easy: wait. It takes 5-15 minutes for the anger cocktail to wear off. Channel the adrenaline into exercise.
– Chris Butsch, The Millennial’s Guide to Making Happiness