Hot temper extends life by two years

Scientists from the University of Jena (Germany) conducted a study that showed that people prone to short temper and open expression of negative emotions can live longer than those who are able to curb their impulses and restrain their emotions. This is an unexpected finding that contradicts the generally accepted view that emotional restraint and calmness contribute to maintaining health.

More than 6 thousand volunteers took part in the study. Scientists measured the participants' pulses and analyzed their behavior in stressful situations. It turned out that people who tried to contain their anxiety and control their emotions had a noticeably increased heart rate. This indicates an increase in stress and adrenaline levels in the body. Adrenaline is a hormone that is released in response to stressful situations and can lead to high blood pressure, poor heart function and other diseases.

Scientists have called people who tend to restrain their emotions and control their behavior in stressful situations “repressors.” They identified this group of people as a separate risk category, since suppressing negative emotions can lead to the development of various diseases. On the other hand, people who express their feelings openly and emotionally may be more protected from stress and illness.

The researchers paid attention to cultural characteristics and compared the life expectancy of people in different countries. It turned out that hot-tempered Italians and Spaniards live, on average, two years longer than the British, known for their restraint and equanimity. This may be because expressing emotions is an important part of the culture in these countries and people do not hide their feelings.

So, a study by scientists from the University of Jena showed that having a quick temper and openly expressing emotions can help maintain health and prolong life. However, this does not mean that you need to be aggressive and rude when communicating with other people. It is important to learn to control your emotions and express them constructively so as not to harm yourself and others.