That leaves us with the latter. Could there possibly be benefits to anger? According to psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Rick Hanson, Ph.D., you can certainly use anger as a force for good. Although, as he explains on this episode of the mbg podcast, there’s a fine line between a healthy dose of anger and anger that’s out of control. Here’s how you can benefit from the emotion and use it for good, as well as when you should rein it in. That’s because anger has the ability to easily transform into hatred or ill will, which is not only unhealthy but destructive. “As soon as we slide into ill will, vengeance, or contempt, we’re in trouble.” So even if you might be practically seething with anger, make sure it’s the mobilizing, impactful kind—not the kind that wishes harm on others. Don’t suppress the anger you’re feeling (you should even welcome it, says Hanson), but make sure there is a healthy way you can deal with it. Anger is meant to be quick and mobilizing; as quickly as it comes, you want to figure out how you can deal with the emotions: “As fast as you can disengage, shift gears and move out of it,” Hanson adds. So, yes, anger does have a variety of benefits, but like the other negative emotions, there’s a difference between acute anger and chronic, spiteful hate. “Hate is poisonous, but healthy anger can serve us in a lot of ways and is appropriate,” Hanson continues. Just make sure yours is serving you in a way that’s productive and healthy.
