Anger Management Tips in Ayurveda
Anger is actually a normal healthy emotion of human beings. But the place of anger manifestation and quantity need control.
According to Ayurveda, Anger depends on the following factors
1) A Pitta dominant person tends to get more angry
2) People with lot of mental stress, anxiety, Insomnia might get angry faster compared to others
3) People who consume excess non veg, excess spicy foods, drug abuse and excess alcohol (Rajasika foods) get angry very quickly.
4) teenagers and elderly get angry faster.
5) Over dosage of antidepressants and persons with increased blood pressure may also get angry faster compared to others.
Physiology behind Anger -
Emotions more or less begin inside two almond-shaped structures in our brains which are called the amygdala. The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for identifying threats to our well-being, and for sending out an alarm when threats are identified that results in us taking steps to protect ourselves. The amygdala is so efficient at warning us about threats, that it gets us reacting before the cortex (the part of the brain responsible for thought and judgment) is able to check on the reasonableness of our reaction. In other words, our brains are wired in such a way as to influence us to act before we can properly consider the consequences of our actions.
As you become angry your body's muscles tense up. Inside your brain, neurotransmitter chemicals known as catecholamines are released causing you to experience a burst of energy lasting up to several minutes. This burst of energy is behind the common angry desire to take immediate protective action. At the same time your heart rate accelerates, your blood pressure rises, and your rate of breathing increases. Your face may flush as increased blood flow enters your limbs and extremities in preparation for physical action.
How Anger can be managed ?
1) The ancient tradition of Ayurveda offers the tools of yoga, pranayama, and meditation to bring equanimity and peace to the mind.
Developing a regular (maybe even daily) yoga practice will help with your anger.
2)Anger is an emotion particularly associated with pitta dosha. And hence to control anger incorporate Pitta controlled measures. Such as having raisins, almonds, ghee regularly etc.
3)Sleep for at least 7 hours at night.
4) Herbs useful in controlling Anger include -
a) Brahmi - Bacopa monnieri
b) Mandookaparni – Gotu Kola
c) Shankhapushpi - Convolvulus pleuricalis
d) Draksha - Vitis vinifera
5) Rose water, rose petals are excellent to calm Pitta.
6) As a general rule, all sweet tasting food substances are Pitta pacifying in nature and therefore good in anger management diet. Sweet apples, sweet grapes, Apricots, sweet Berries, Guava, ripe sweet mangoes, water melon, Papaya, sweet orange, Pears, Plums (sweet), Prunes.
7) Keep a spiritual diary. Writing can reduce the intensity of your anger.
8) And most important of all Patience. Think before you speak. In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything.
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