Taking a look at the latest news, it feels that the world is full of anger. From the streets of Los Angeles due to the extreme wildfire disasters and the UK grooming gangs and to any form of social media you'd care to mention, anger and outrage are seemingly everywhere. People are angry, and they are not afraid to show it.
Why so much anger?
Anger has become prevalent in our society, in part because it is highly effective at gaining attention. Numerous studies have shown that online content infused with negative emotions, particularly anger, is more likely to go viral. For instance, social media posts that incite anger towards political adversaries receive significantly more views. Similarly, fabricated news stories designed to provoke anger or anxiety tend to spread more rapidly than factual information. Research conducted by Chinese academics emphasizes this point, asserting that the increased virality of fake news can be directly attributed to its heightened anger levels.
Anger is also fed by sleep deprivation and tired people. According to Healthline, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reports that among adults, 30 to 35 percent have brief symptoms of insomnia,
while 15 to 20 percent have short-term insomnia lasting less than 3 months. Anger is interdependent with our mood and anger management. Even minor frustrations can feel overwhelming, and emotion management waves goodbye when sleep is insufficient. Considering that sleep deprivation disrupts the balance of hormones like cortisol (stress hormone) and serotonin (mood stabilizer), those feelings of anger and irritability are likely to increase.
The risks of excessive anger are known to pretty much everyone: excessive anger poses significant health risks, both immediate and long-term. Sudden outbursts can increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks, while chronic anger contributes to systemic inflammation, a key factor in the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. Research suggests that anger may be particularly detrimental to the health of older adults.
However, anger itself isn't inherently "bad," as it can be a natural and even healthy emotion when managed properly and channeled constructively.
Anger can serve as an effective communication tool, signaling to others that an injustice has occurred. For example, when something in our lives or society is wrong, anger can help us express the wrongdoing. It can alert us to situations where our values, boundaries, or safety are being violated. It can also be a powerful motivator for positive change. It can fuel the energy and determination needed to address injustice, fight for our rights, or overcome obstacles. For example, anger at environmental destruction can drive individuals to become environmentally conscious.
Research suggests that expressing a range of emotions, including anger, can enhance authenticity and sincerity in communication. A 2021 study examining Kickstarter pitch videos found that entrepreneurs who conveyed both positive and negative emotions, such as anger and fear, experienced greater fundraising success compared to those who solely expressed happiness. The researchers posit that expressing anger can demonstrate genuine passion and commitment to the project.
It’s important, though, to distinguish destructive anger from constructive anger. When we express our anger in a healthy and constructive way, via assertive communication, and with the willingness to solve the problem or find support, it can have a positive effect and lead to change. On the other hand, if our anger manifests in a harmful way, through aggression, passive-aggressive behavior, or violence, then we need to step back and manage it and find the reasons behind it.
