Just 1 minute of anger can weaken your immune system for 4 hours. Before you lose your temper, remember: one minute of rage can come with a five-hour price tag on your health.
Research shows that even a brief outburst of anger floods the body with stress hormones like cortisol, which can shut down parts of your immune system for four to five hours afterward. During that window, your defenses against viruses, bacteria, and inflammation are noticeably weaker—leaving you more prone to getting sick.
It’s not only explosive anger that hurts. Chronic stress from bottled-up frustration or ongoing tension has the same corrosive effect, steadily eroding immunity and raising the long-term risk of heart disease, diabetes, and frequent infections.
The takeaway is clear: learning to stay calm isn’t just about feeling better in the moment. Simple tools—deep breathing, mindfulness, or a quick walk—can shield your body from the hidden damage of negative emotions. Keeping your cool quite literally keeps you healthier.
[Glaser, R., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2005). Stress-induced immune dysfunction: Implications for health. Nature Reviews Immunology, 5(3), 243–251]
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 