Burning Away Anger: The Power of Writing Down and Destroying Emotions

The study conducted at Nagoya University in Japan explored the effectiveness of expressing and destroying written thoughts as a way to manage anger. This technique may be particularly useful for individuals experiencing stress or anger and could offer a simple yet effective way to cope with negative emotions. The tradition of Hakidashisara, where people break small discs to symbolize their anger, provides cultural context for this technique and demonstrates the value of physically expressing and releasing emotions in a controlled manner.

The researchers found that when participants wrote down their feelings after receiving hurtful comments and then destroyed the paper containing those emotions, they experienced a significant decrease in their level of anger compared to those who kept the paper. This suggests that expressing and destroying written thoughts can be an effective way to manage anger.

While other Japanese anger management techniques have been suggested, not all have been supported by research. Some may be difficult to remember when an individual is in an angry state of mind. However, research has shown a connection between written text and mood, suggesting that interacting with physical objects can help control anger.

The study highlights the potential benefits of expressing and then destroying written emotions as a way to manage anger effectively. It may be particularly useful for entrepreneurs experiencing stress or individuals looking for effective anger management strategies. Overall, this approach offers a simple yet powerful tool for managing negative emotions in a healthy way.