When a person is angry or very angry, he often feels the desire to throw out his emotions, believing that this will help him get rid of negative experiences. There are even special “anger rooms” where people, for a fee, can take out their anger on furniture or dishes by smashing them.
However, a new study conducted by scientists from Ohio University shows The idea that breaking dishes or exercising can calm anger is wrong. This meta-analytic review examined 154 different studies on anger management. And in none of them did the authors come to the conclusion that this approach helps. In some cases, the opposite effect is present.
The studies reviewed included 10,189 people of different ethnic groups, ages, and cultures. More often than not, scientists have found that the key to controlling anger is reducing physiological arousal. In such conditions, even jogging can be useless, or even harmful, because it increases this level and leads to the opposite results.
The study authors looked at different strategies for reducing anger: from boxing, running and cycling to meditation and yoga. All calming strategies turned out to be the most effective: breathing exercises, relaxation practices.
Among the strategies one way or another related to physical activity, the greatest effect was achieved by the inclusion of a game element. For example, playing with a ball helped me calm down. This led to the conclusion that exercise can still be useful for anger, but only if it is associated with pleasure and distraction.
In any case, if you are overcome with rage, then yelling at someone, breaking a plate or beating a pear is not the best way out. Any pause will be much more effective: to take a deep breath or count to ten.
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