Frustration, anger, and irritation are not just fleeting emotions. They are powerful physiological events that, when left unchecked, can cause significant harm to your body. A clinical psychologist explains how the stress of modern work environments can lead to these feelings, which in turn exacerbate your physical health problems.
When you feel frustrated or angry—perhaps after receiving feedback you perceive as unfair or dealing with an uncooperative colleague—your body goes into “fight” mode. Your blood pressure rises, your muscles tense, and your system is flooded with adrenaline.
If you are constantly in situations that trigger this response, you are living in a state of chronic physiological agitation. The expert notes that this is strongly linked to cardiovascular problems, tension headaches, and a host of other physical ailments. The emotional heat of your frustration is literally creating inflammation in your body.
Learning to manage your response is crucial. The advice to not take things personally is a powerful tool for defusing anger before it starts. Increasing your appetite for critical feedback helps you see it as information rather than an attack, preventing the defensive rage. When you do feel frustrated, a micro-break to breathe and calm your nervous system can stop the emotion from escalating into a full-blown physiological event.