Brilliant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2nd Edition

The mind–body connection

Thinking angry thoughts puts your blood pressure up, releases adrenaline into your bloodstream and produces a keyed up state that your body interprets as proof of imminent danger. You may have suspected you were under attack in some way: now your body is confirming it for you. A feedback loop is set up almost guaranteed to keep the pressure building.

Lack of sleep, chronic stress, use of stimulants or a sugary diet that sends your metabolism fluctuating between unpredictable energy highs and crashing lows are all going to weaken your resistance to anger. Learning to relax properly (see Chapter 8) is probably one of the most helpful skills you can teach yourself if you are prone to sudden flare-ups.