Do your research! This is a comment I see posted often and it is usually followed by some negative article, used to justify hating some cultural group, that is not part of the norm in Western societies.
Well here is some real research.
Anger Kills
According to Williams (2012), anger caused by annoyances and negative perceptions leads to stress and is a predicator to health problems. Every time you get angry physiologically your heart rate raises and your blood pressure goes up. When this pattern is repeated enough times,it begins to take its toll on your cardiovascular system.
This is why I am not surprised when I hear that someone with a negative outlook on life is having health issues. This hurts everyone no matter what your political preferences are.
You are not changing anything
The worse part about this is your not changing anything. Perhaps your angry post made you feel better temporarily, but you may walk away more frustrated to know that you have been alienated by more of your friends.
There is a time and a place
There is a time a place for the types of discussion you are trying to engage in (like Twitter). But in the end you need to ask your self
Is being bitter and angry about it worth it?
Is my health and well being effected by it?
Does my hate for a particular group consume me to the point that my friends are calling me crazy?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to take a chill pill.
The Forgiving Heart
According to Kaplan (1992), people who practice forgiveness and who are sociable have fewer issues caused by anger and stress. You can’t change the world but you can change the way you see it. With the Internet it can become easy to search out all the negative things occurring.
But should you?
Especially when sometimes the websites are created to entice you to get angry. In then end your body is the one paying for it.
I could only hope that no matter why you are holding hate in your heart, you can learn to let some of it go for your own good.
Social Gelo with Angelo
Angelo Ferrer (M.S. Psychology)
Second Degree Black Belt Instructor
Kajukenbo
References
Kaplan, B. H. (1992). Social health and the forgiving heart: The Type B story. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15(1), 3-14.
Williams, R. (2012). Anger kills: seventeen strategies for controlling hostility that can harm your health. Crown.