ON THE RUN: Running to deal with anger

http://www.mpnnow.com/article/20141119/Blogs/141119675

By Bruce Rychwalski

Hollywood made three movies that readily come to mind which dealt with anger and anger management. “Analyze This” and “Analyze That” with Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro and “Anger Management” with Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson. All three movies made us smile and laugh. Maybe because one out of five Americans has an anger management problem. Maybe because mismanaged anger and rage is the major cause of conflict in our personal and professional relationships.

I confess. I admit it. I take after my father. I have a type A personality. I am a very impatient person. I was a premature baby and couldn't be brought home after birth but had to spend a period of time in an incubator in the hospital. My mother used to tell me "You were in a hurry to come into this world and you have been in a hurry ever since." I also get angry very easily and quickly. A lot of things tend to make me angry.


Let's start with driving and being on the road. I get angry with: People who drive too slow. People who drive too fast. People who don't use their directional signal. People who drive mile after mile with their directional signal on. People who tailgate me. People who weave from lane to lane. People who can't park between two lines and take up two spaces. People who are able bodied and park in handicap spaces. People who are way over to the right to make a left-hand turn. People who don't move after the light turns green. People who put their brakes on every two minutes. People who don't know where they are going.

Now let's get out of the car and go into the grocery store. I get angry when: Shoppers in front of me have 10 items in the seven items or less lane. Shoppers in front of me go to pay with a credit card or check in the cash-only lane. Shoppers in front of me wait until the cashier scans all their items before looking for their Shopper's Club Cards. Shoppers in front of me don't have the correct size or number of an item that the sales price specifies.

I also get angry when: Someone in front of me at Dunkin' Donuts takes 10 minutes to choose a dozen donuts. Someone in front of me at the bank wants to socialize with the teller. Someone named Too Tall Jones sits in front of me in the movie theater when there are empty seats all around me. Someone calls me at dinner time to sell me vinyl siding. Someone talks incessantly at an outdoor concert. Someone sits in my pew at church. Someone next to me talks on their cell phone while I am on the computer at the library.

Yet people who know me, see me and think of me as a laid back, easy-going person. This is all due to the fact that I am a runner.

Anger is a natural human emotion and is nature's way of empowering us to "ward off" our perception of an attack or threat to our well being. Anger is a normal, healthy emotion, but when chronic, explosive anger spirals out of control, it can have serious consequences for our relationships, our health, and our state of mind. Once we know how to recognize the warning signs that our temper is rising and anticipate our trigger, we can act quickly to deal with our anger before it spins out of control. There are several techniques that can help us cool down and keep our anger in check. One of them is running.

Running is a very effective anger management technique. Running requires a very specific level of focus and can create brain wave patterns very similar to meditation. In fact, if you're a fan of meditation, you have likely heard of the idea of a "walking meditation." Well … running is simply a faster paced meditation. Running can, theoretically alter the state of consciousness. The deep breathing patterns being done in steady-rate exercises such as running allows the brain to be calmer. It mimics the breathing exercises being done in meditation which has a sedative effect on the brain.

According to psychologist Kelly Wilson in her book "Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong," hundreds of studies have demonstrated that exercise (running) reduces anxiety. Exercise also reduces anger that is the result of frustration or anger management difficulties by burning off excess energy and releasing powerful endorphins that can help improve our mood. Exercise also reduces blood pressure. High blood pressure can make you feel angry, and may also be the consequence of excessive anger.

In conclusion, a surefire way to deal with our anger is to do something physical. We can go for a run. Running is the best physical exercise for anger management. Moving our body provides a physical outlet for our rage. This way, we are taking a proactive stance when it comes to dealing with our anger.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go for a run. I just got back from driving to Wegmans for a loaf of bread.

Bruce Rychwalski, 65, is an avid runner and equestrian. In 2013, he competed in 52 races. He's competed in 40 races so far in 2014. His goal is 50. He also goes horseback riding three times each week and volunteers for Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship.