Anger. It’s that burning feeling that creeps up your chest when the bus you just missed pulls into the stop. It’s the primal growl in your stomach when someone cuts you in line (especially after you’ve been waiting patiently for ages). It’s a complex emotion that goes beyond a simple annoyance.

Anger is a natural human response to situations we perceive as threatening or unfair. It’s our body’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s wrong here! We gotta do something about it!” When we feel angry, our bodies go into a state of high alert. Our heart rate and blood pressure rise, pumping extra adrenaline through our system. We might clench our fists, feel a flush creep up our neck, or our voice might rise a notch.

But anger isn’t all bad. In the right situations, anger can be a powerful motivator. It can give us the courage to stand up for ourselves or fight for what we believe in. It can fuel our creativity and help us find solutions to problems. The key is learning to manage anger in a healthy way.