Researchers split 30 women into two groups and purposely irritated one of the groups by asking them to complete impossible puzzles while being mocked for their incompetence (seriously, who wouldn’t blow a gasket in that setting?). Afterward, the women were asked to sample different kinds of ginger ale and beer in what they thought was an unrelated taste test. The results? The women who’d been angered drank nearly twice as much booze than their calmer counterparts. 6 Sneaky Signs You Drink Too Much Here’s why: Women are less likely than men to express their anger assertively, and suppressing that irritation results in built-up tension, explains study author Nora Noel, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Many women (and men) view alcohol as a way to help relieve that tension, she says. The problem, of course, is that turning to booze instead of finding healthy ways to express yourself doesn’t end well for anyone. What Your Anger Says About You So what can you do about it? Recognizing you have a tendency to drink when you’re spitting mad is the first step, Dr. Noel says. The next one is learning healthier ways to reign in your anger—or unleash it—to help cut down on your desire to turn to liquid ways of coping. The next time you’re ready to pop, try: Sharing. “Expressing anger assertively means speaking up for yourself and letting others know when you’re uncomfortable,” says Dr. Noel. Venting to a friend is a proven way to help lower your levels of anger-fueled tension, she says. Breathing: Take 10 breaths so deep that your belly extends out on each exhale. This breathing technique circulates extra oxygen and releases calming hormones such as serotonin, says Norman Rosenthal, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School. Writing. Putting pen to paper about your anger helps you acknowledge it and begin to understand it, says James W. Pennebaker, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas. Try keeping an anger journal to help you see recurring themes of what makes you mad. Walking: Japanese researchers at Aichi University found women who walked for an hour every day for four weeks lowered their levels of anger and aggression more than 15 percent, according to a study in the Journal of Psychological Anthropology. Also see: 5 Steps To Overcome Your Anger, 16 Little Health Tips For Big Results, Go Ahead…Get Mad!
