The 100-Year Smile
How Can I Manage My Anger?
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Find a therapist to heal from anger
Holding onto anger floods your body with stress hormones, actively accelerating cellular aging.
The physical chemical flush of anger takes only 90 seconds; staying angry after that is a cognitive choice.
Centenarians in Blue Zones share a secret: they move past disagreements quickly and prioritize joy.
When I was four years old, my parents, my sister, and I went to the drive-in theater to see Mary Poppins. It was one of the first movies I ever saw, and I was absolutely mesmerized by Dick Van Dyke’s energy, enthusiasm, and joyful character.
Did you know he recently turned 100 years old? And he is still doing quite well.
Naturally, people want to know his secret. When asked how he has aged so magnificently, he didn't credit a strict diet, an intense workout regimen, or an expensive supplement. He attributed his century of life to maintaining a positive outlook and making a conscious choice not to get angry.
One of my first childhood heroes ended up living the exact life he portrayed on the silver screen. His secret perfectly aligns with what I have found in exploring the higher reaches of human psychology over the past 30 years: A long, happy life isn’t about avoiding tragedy or frustration. It’s about cultivating an internal environment where anger cannot survive for long.
The Physiology of Resentment
What does chronic anger actually do to our bodies?
When we hold onto resentment, our body stays in a constant state of "fight or flight." It floods our system with cortisol and adrenaline. Think of it like pouring an........
