A lot of us make resolutions regarding our health when a new year arrives. Losing weight or getting more exercise are often on that list.

But have you ever thought about changing your ways if you are the type of person who bottles up anger … only to explode later?

Many of us think that suppressing our angry emotions is a good thing to do. It creates less disruption and allows us to “move on” in a sort of artificial way.

But then eventually, it all comes to a head and BOOM – an explosion.

It turns out that little bursts of anger are actually better for your health.

Why? Because according to LiveScience.com, they are a better coping mechanism than building up anger, irritation or disgust.

And studies also show that bottling up feelings may actually cut years off of your life!

A study, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, followed 796 people 12 years after they had answered an initial set of questions.  Among them were:

On a scale of one to five, do you agree with or disagree with statements such as “When I’m angry I let people know” or “I try to be pleasant so that others don’t get upset.”

Of the 111 people who had died 12 years later, the death rates were the highest among those who had bottled up their anger.

Scientists aren’t sure why this relationship occurred, but it is a startling finding.

So, anger, like a lot of others things, is best displayed in moderation to avoid keeping it under wraps for long periods of time.

It’s definitely something to think about this new year.

Jeanette