Other Behavioral Approaches
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
The following are considered “anger intensifiers.” (Nay, 1993). Multiple authors cite them as fairly controllable elements in our lives that increase the potential for anger, but which can be eliminated or modified through conscious choices of behavior.
- Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation has long been used as a tool of torture because of the deleterious effect on rational mental function. A normal adult should average 8 hours of sleep per 24 hour cycle. Despite individual protestations otherwise, this finding has been reinforced time and again in clinical studies. Behavioral components that may affect sleep are; lack of exercise, excessive alcohol or use of medicine or drugs, inconsistent schedule, poor sleep habits, and medical conditions (such as sleep apnea).
- Stress: Be aware of high stress situations. Excessive noise, stimulus and crowding—even in situations that we think are “enjoyable” or “relaxing” like clubs or sporting events—produce the physiological changes that set up anger reflexes. Too many tasks, unrealistic deadlines or significant life changes also produce stress. Even things we would consider pleasurable or relaxing, like vacations or family events, produce stress.
- Substances: Caffeine, alcohol and drugs significantly alter our body chemistry and have the effect of amplifying or suppressing different parts of the brain, different emotional centers, effectively making the end result completely unreliable. While illegal drugs definitely alter our ability to think clearly, and many are specifically linked to aggression, even over the counter cold remedies can elevate tension. Check all prescription drugs for side-effects. Anything that says it is not suitable for people with High Blood Pressure or Hypertension is going to have an effect on your own tension.
- Sickness: Pain and discomfort increase emotional arousal and reduce resilience because the body’s resources and energy is focused on fighting illness. All our mechanisms are reduced from levels of normal functioning, making us very susceptible to subtle changes in emotion and the physiological chemical changes that emotions bring. Everyone is quite aware of becoming irrational during sickness.
- Lack Of Sustenance:. Blood sugar levels rising and falling have significant effects on our moods and processing capabilities as well as on our physical health. Fatty foods, junk foods, processed foods…all have, either intrinsically or through manufacturing, chemicals that can significantly alter our own internal chemical balance.
As indicated, each of these “intensifiers” can be managed with some conscious choices that will minimize their impact and their ability to effect our behavior.