Kamal Ghorui
Everyone feels angry sometimes. It’s a normal human emotion. In sports, especially, feelings can get very intense. That’s why a women’s tennis tournament in Texas recently set up a “rage room” where players can go and smash things to let out their frustration.
In some big Indian cities, there are also places where people pay money to break plates or glass to “feel better.”
But do we really need to break things to deal with anger?
When you’re angry, your body changes. Your heart beats faster. Your muscles tighten. You get a burst of energy. Your body is getting ready for action. Instead of smashing objects, you could use that energy in healthier ways — like going for a fast walk, a run, cleaning your room, taking a cold shower, or doing pranayama breathing. These can calm you down without causing damage.
Some people believe anger can help bring change. And it’s true that strong feelings can push people to act. But many Indian philosophical traditions teach that anger can also cloud your thinking. There’s an old example: holding a hot coal to throw at someone else only burns your own hand first. In other words, anger hurts you before it hurts anyone else.
The goal isn’t to pretend you’re never angry. It’s to turn anger into something useful — clear thinking and positive action. Even in tennis, players work on this.
Novak Djokovic has spoken about using mindfulness training to control his emotions on court. Recently, Coco Gauff made headlines for smashing her racket in frustration, which some say inspired the Texas rage room idea. People often excuse angry behavior more in men than in women, which isn’t fair.
Still, the wiser lesson is this: anger isn’t your enemy. It’s a powerful feeling. But it shouldn’t control you. Instead of breaking things, take a breath — and maybe take a walk.
END OF ARTICLE
