Anger management classes can actually save your from a variety of health problems and increase longevity. Sound overblown? Lets take a look at how anger management problems effect your health.

Functionally speaking, anger is there to mobilize you to protect yourself from harm. On a physiological level stress and anger management issues trigger the release of stress hormone called cortisol in your body. Small releases of cortisol can give the body a quick burst of energy which is good from a survival perspective.

While good in the short term, prolonged stress or repeated problems with anger can create a blood sugar imbalance which among other things can lead to impairing your thinking ability in the short term and possible diabetes in the long term; decrease bone density, weaken your immune system, suppress thyroid function which slows down your metabolism and can lead to weight gain and finally, increase blood pressure.

There is also preliminary research which shows that having anger management as a part of your personality style can stop the growth of new neurons in the brain resulting in neuronal death or depression.can cause neurons to shrink and disconnect. Increased stress hormones can also lead to memory impairment and learning difficulties.

There is also a connection between anger management problems and the transmission of abnormal signals from the brain to the heart. One study suggested that the normal signals from your brain to your heart on how to function can be disrupted by anger and emotional distress. This can lead to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) which has been estimated to cause as many as 400,000 unexpected worldwide deaths annually.

So the next time someone tells you to calm down before you have a stroke you should take their advice literally. Whether its from my anger management course or one offered by someone else, get the help you need to add years to your life.