Allow our anger to protect us

Anger is often seen as a negative emotion, but it actually has deep evolutionary roots and plays a vital role in our survival and well-being. Here’s why:

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1. Signal of Threat or Injustice: Anger is a powerful emotional response to situations where we feel threatened, mistreated, or when our boundaries are crossed. It serves as a signal to ourselves and others that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. This might be a physical threat, an unfair situation, or an emotional violation. In this sense, anger alerts us to danger or injustice, prompting us to take action to protect ourselves or others.

2. Energy Boost: From an evolutionary standpoint, anger is designed to mobilize energy. It triggers the ‘fight’ response in the ‘fight-or-flight’ system, preparing the body for action. Your heart rate increases, your muscles tense, and your body becomes more alert and focused. In situations where physical defence or assertiveness is needed, this burst of energy can be essential for survival, helping you respond quickly and effectively to protect yourself.

Sometimes, you have to get angry to get things done.

– Ang Lee –

3. Boundary Setting and Self-Advocacy: Anger is often tied to our need to protect our personal boundaries. When we feel that our values, needs, or autonomy are being threatened or ignored, anger helps us assert ourselves. It pushes us to speak up or take action to re-establish those boundaries, making sure that we don’t just passively accept disrespect or harmful treatment. Without this emotional response, we may allow ourselves to be mistreated or exploited.

4. Drive for Change: Anger can be a catalyst for social and personal change. When we get angry about injustices or harmful circumstances, it can motivate us to take steps to improve the situation, whether on a personal level (standing up for ourselves in relationships or at work) or on a broader level (fighting against societal inequalities or systemic issues). Historically, many important social movements have been driven by collective anger in response to injustice or oppression.

5. Self-Reflection and Growth: When managed healthily, anger can offer valuable insights into our deeper needs and desires. Often, anger points to unaddressed feelings like frustration, fear, or hurt. If you’re able to reflect on the underlying cause of your anger, you can better understand what’s important to you, what you value, and where you might need to make changes in your life to feel more fulfilled.

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So, in summary, anger is an essential survival skill because it helps us detect threats, assert boundaries, access energy for action, and drive change. Listen and understand what your anger is trying to tell you.