Feeling irritated? People with a tendency to get angry and irritable are some of my favorite people to work with. If you have these tendencies, you are likely a Pitta predominant person, and Pitta people make the world go round. They are the doers, the leaders, the sharp thinkers, and the ones who will commit to action more quickly than other constitutions.
That being said, the same fire fueling successful action can build up and get unnaturally stored in the mind and body. This leads to pockets of heat that pressurize the mind and body, leading to more problems over time. Emotions get digested just like food, and if this process isn’t supported and encouraged, the excess accumulation of fiery emotions can lead to a range of problems.
What causes Anger according to Ayurveda?
Fundamentally speaking, anger is the result of actions and efforts not producing the intended outcome. Whether in our profession, relationship, personal life, or inner life, anger is the result if we make efforts to accomplish something and are unable to do so. Determining which area of life causes our tendency towards anger and irritability is incredibly valuable. Because of this, I highly encourage therapy if you feel additional support is needed for anger management.
But what about the concept of “digesting emotions?” Is that related to the cause of anger? Absolutely. If we are not properly processing our experiences of life we will invariably deal with an emotional build-up. Someone with a Pitta predominance will often experience anger around childhood traumas, relationship struggles, professional failures, and personal shortcomings. The same thing that could lead to depression in one person (of a different prakriti/constitution) would more likely lead to anger in a Pitta predominant prakriti/constitution.
This reminds us of the value Ayurveda brings to the table when it comes to treating conditions: we can create profound change through balancing the underlying intelligence related to our condition. Taking on an Ayurveda Pitta-pacifying diet, routine, lifestyle, and herbal program can dramatically reduce anger and irritability—even without addressing the mental and emotional factors of these tendencies.
How to Relieve Anger & Irritability with Ayurveda
First, we work to balance the underlying intelligence, which is Pitta Dosha. We create a cooling and softening diet, lifestyle, and herbal program. We also work to adjust and reform the daily routine to allow for a smoother release of accumulated Pitta emotions. According to Ayurveda, a quick fix for anger is to prioritize sleeping between 10 pm - 2 am. This seemingly simple suggestion is important if you’re looking for how to reduce Pitta naturally. Considered the “Pitta time of night,” this is where Pitta balances and purifies itself. This detoxifying process only takes place if we are asleep, and if we are awake we instead typically experience a second wind of energy and appetite. (Late night snacking, anyone?)
Other than these factors, making efforts to shift our mindsets, perceptions, and goals go a long way. Having an Ayurvedic counselor or therapist helps with this tremendously, because Pitta people tend to set unrealistic goals, expectations, and pressures on themselves and their work, which fuels the cycle of anger and irritability. Reforming our mind and its perception of life is foundational in creating peaceful Pitta people. As I often tell my clients, “Productive or not, nobody likes an angry Pitta, but everyone loves a soft, kind, and highly-effective Pitta.”
Healthy Ways to Release Anger: Pitta People & Relationships
Pitta-predominant people dealing with anger and irritability often have some need for growth and healing in their personal relationships. One thing most fiery people have to learn: what feels like “normal expression” to them can often come off as too sharp or intense for another. This can lead to a Pitta person making efforts to suppress their natural expression, which can lead to even more trapped pitta emotions in the mind and body.
One has to find a balance, and this involves a combination of reducing self-critical mindsets, balancing and reducing heat in the body, and learning how to express yourself true to your nature (but without burning people).
If you’re dealing with a Pitta-predominant partner, find a way to acknowledge their efforts, accomplishments, and contributions. A sincere and well-expressed compliment can be one of the most effective Pitta pacifiers, and recurrent use of such expressions can lead to a very happy, fiery partner.
How to Stop Being Angry: Cool the Fire without Losing Your Sharpness
The best way to manage anger and irritability is to do so without compromising your action-oriented nature. As I mentioned earlier, I love working with Pitta clients, because of their natural tendency to make things happen.
It’s no fun to feel irritable and angry for no reason. This can destroy relationships and even lead to significant health problems. We want to strengthen your overall Pitta, improve your ability to digest emotions, and remove excess heat from your body without making you dull. This requires a precise approach according to your constitution and lifestyle and is something I greatly enjoy doing. If you’re dealing with recurrent anger and irritability in your daily life, please consider partnering with me to refresh and balance your Pitta. Together, we can make you more effective in life than you’ve ever been!
