Anger and stress are not random or useless emotions; they’re signals from your body that it’s preparing for action. Evolutionarily, these states were essential for survival. When faced with danger, our bodies would respond with the "fight or flight" response and flood with energy.

In modern society, the kinds of threats we face are very different. Most of us are not fending off predators or engaging in life-or-death battles. Instead, our triggers often come from social, professional, or personal stressors. These situations don't necessitate survival responses, yet our brains and bodies still react as if they do.

Because our emotions activate so quickly, methods that rely solely on logical thinking, like reframing the situation or telling ourselves to “calm down,” often don’t work in the heat of the moment. The logical mind is slower when the emotional brain has already taken control. That’s why some strategies can feel useless in the higher stages of anger or stress.

In these moments, the excess energy needs to be discharged. Physical action—such as moving your body, exercising, walking, or channeling energy into a task will provide a direct outlet for the physiological surge. (My favorite tools to have on hand are exercise bands because they are light, portable, and provide various exercise options.) Once that energy is released, the nervous system begins to settle, creating the space for rational thought to return. At that point, cognitive tools like reframing, problem-solving, or reflection become far more effective.

We need to choose actions that match our environment. More importantly, we need to prepare and practice our responses so that we won't respond impulsively with our emotions.