The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.
Anger is a strange thing. Most of the time we conceive of anger as a purely negative emotion. It may make us think of people who are out of control, who are bitter, resentful, and who are generally unpleasant to be around.
But is there really nothing productive about anger? What about when it helps us stand up for ourselves? Or when it compels us to act out against injustice that we witness?
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In these ways (and others), anger can in fact be a positive force. So, read on to learn more about anger, how it relates to mental health, and how it can sometimes be a productive thing.
And if you would appreciate having more helpful resources on anger, take a look at the useful content available online through BetterHelp.
When Is Anger Productive?
First, let’s start with instances where anger can be productive.
When It Helps You Stand up for Yourself
Many of us have been bullied at one point or another in our life. If our anger over this unjust behavior compels us to stand up for ourselves, then that’s a very productive thing!
Of course, violence is never a good idea, and that doesn’t have to be the only place anger leads. Anger could lead you to going to a school counselor or HR or the police, for example. Anger is something we feel when we’ve simply had enough, and it can be important if you no longer want to be a pushover.
When It Helps You Stick up for Others
Similarly, anger can help motivate us to be allies for people who are in need. There have been many white Americans, for example, who have been outraged by the violence of police brutality against African Americans in the United States.
By channeling this rage into protesting and donating money and general solidarity, anger can be a hugely productive force.
When Is Anger Not Productive?
All that said, it’s important to recognize that anger isn’t always a good thing, of course.
Here are some instances when anger is not all productive.
When It Causes You to Lash Out
When anger causes you to lash out, it’s of course a negative thing. We always want to maintain our calm and proceed in a logical way. Anger can help motivate us to stick up for ourselves and others, but it should (ideally) never lead us directly to words or actions that we will later regret.
When It Leads You to Violence
In general, violence is not the answer. Some violence is certainly justified, but in general anger that leads to violence is not healthy. Instead, it’s best to try to channel that anger into another form of action that will improve whatever situation you are facing.
When You Don’t Move Past It
Staying angry all the time is a terrible burden. Even worse, it’s bad for your mental and physical health (e.g. for your heart and blood pressure). If you stay stuck in a cycle of anger and don’t process it in a healthy way, it is very unproductive.
Conclusion
Anger has a bad reputation. And some of that is for good reason. But there are many instances where anger can help us protect ourselves and stick up for others. So long as we don’t bottle up our anger, and so long as we deal with it in a productive way, it’s a natural emotion and can be helpful.
That said, if you feel you may have anger issues, it’s recommended to seek the advice of a professional.
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