Experts are predicting a record voter turnout for tomorrow 's presidential election . Long lines greeted early voters in Miami , Florida , last Thursday . That means long lines , and many people stewing over the amount of time they have to wait to cast their ballots . We all get angry at times , but it 's what sets us off and how we manage that anger that set us apart . `` It 's hard to say that anger is normal or not normal , '' said Mark Crawford , a Roswell , Georgia-based clinical psychologist . `` It 's how angry you allow yourself to become that 's either healthy or unhealthy . '' The American Psychological Association said anger may result in physiological and biological changes . `` It 's a flight or fight response , '' Crawford said . `` Basically , my heart rate gets high or my blood pressure gets higher . Adrenaline and noradrenaline start secreting and it 's energizing me to do something . '' He acknowledged that mismanaging anger can have a negative effect on health including increased cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke , as well as poor lung function . Among his patients , Crawford revealed that he usually sees two extremes of anger : those who get too angry and those who ignore it all together . `` It 's a good thing to become angry if someone is mistreating you , if you 're being exploited , if someone is cheating you or someone is abusing you in a relationship , '' he said . `` That is a healthy response . '' What 's not healthy , he said , is ignoring a troubling situation and holding in your emotions . That can lead to depression and anxiety . Similarly , he does n't recommend giving full vent to your anger and `` letting it all hang out . '' `` If you found yourself breathing fast and really pushing to get your words out and your voice keeps rising , you 're getting too angry and you need to de-escalate , '' Crawford suggested . Professional therapists can help you determine whether your temper is out of control . One way is to undergo psychological testing that determines the intensity of anger and how you deal with it . `` Professional therapists can give you tools to get things under control . Not to make it go away , but to help control anger , '' he said . He typically asks his patients whether they are using the anger to make positive changes or are `` you letting it hijack you so you 're reacting in an overly aggressive way ? '' Crawford said some may find relief on their own and conduct their own version of anger management . `` The most effective thing is to slow your breathing down , '' Crawford said . `` Take nice , slow , deep breaths . Just de-escalate your heart rate . '' The American Psychological Association recommended breathing from the diaphragm . Shallow breathing from your chest wo n't be as relaxing , the group said . Another way to cool off is to repeat calm sounding words or phrases such as `` relax '' and `` take it easy , '' the APA suggested . Crawford also touted the benefits of hitting an imaginary pause button during an angry situation and calling for a time out . Redirecting your thinking can keep your temper from rising , he said . Avoiding stimulating chemicals such as caffeine , alcohol and nicotine might make a difference . `` A lot of times I 'll find people who are constantly angry and hot headed are ramped up on caffeine so their heart rate is already pretty high , '' he said . Finally , Crawford urged his patients to review their past and consider whether they are harboring a grudge . `` You need to go back and see if there is anyone you need to forgive because ... that can really make you angry at other things . ''
Anger is normal but what sets us off and how we can make a difference . American Psychological Association : Anger can lead to physiological problems . A professional therapist can help determine whether your temper is out of control . Slowing down , deepening your breathing are effective anger - management tools .