People are angry these days.

Whether it’s based in differing political views or unfair treatment in the workplace, anger is a common occurrence. I don’t like being angry; it actually makes my stomach feel icky. But, sometimes it catches me off guard and I cannot stop it from wreaking havoc.

Where does anger come from?

According to Joël Malm, counselor, communicator, and pastor, anger is a secondary emotion. It is actually a response to the threat of one of three basic needs: safety and security, connection with others, and empowerment.

Anger is the response we emit to try to regain control of these basic needs and to overcome resulting feelings of abandonment, rejection, and humiliation.

More than a mental state, anger can also have severe physical impacts — particularly if you’ve held on to it for a lengthy period of time. Sleep issues, high blood pressure, depression, and inflammation are physical effects that can manifest due to chronic, unreleased anger.

In his book, Fully You: Unlocking the Power of All You Really Are, Malm provides tips on how to use anger, frustration and resentment for good, instead of letting it take hold of you in a negative way.

In short, we need to give anger the attention it deserves.