By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Recently, I became very angry about how I was treated by a family member, despite the fact that I’d vowed not to allow my family to upset me. I complained and simmered in my anger for days.

Then I came across an article on how feeling angry can bring on irregular heart rhythms. Chronic anger arouses the nervous system and increases heart rate and blood pressure. The article described a research study that used implanted defibrillators to measure the response people had when they recalled a recent situation in which they were angered or aggravated. Further work is occurring to determine if people could avoid having defibrillators implanted if they could get their anger under control.

I wrote a post “How Baby Boomers Can Reduce Their Anger and Help Their Hearts.”

I also thought about the comments I’d heard by Noah McKay, M.D., author of the book “Wellness at Warp Speed,” on a National Public Radio program. McKay said forgiving everyone helps with healing. He served a year in prison because the government didn’t like the way he practiced a combination of alternative and traditional medicine. McKay said he came to appreciate his prison sentence because it gave him time to write his book and learn lessons he needed to know from those incarcerated.

I thought about what I could do to get rid of my anger in a constructive way. I remembered a post I wrote “100 Ways Baby Boomers Can Improve Their Lives in 2009.”

It had sections on having fun and getting joy. To get joy, I slept in, held a baby, talked to friends, and went for a walk. To have fun, I read a book, saw a movie, went to the library, organized my photos, and blogged at a coffee shop.

Then on Saturday, I went to an event that really lifted my spirits. It was at a museum. I love museums.

The opening of “Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices,” an exhibit to celebrate the centennial of women receiving the right to vote in Washington state, at the Washington History Museum in Tacoma, Wash., was beyond spectacular.

The work of suffragettes in the state and on the national level was celebrated. The achievements of women in politics, sports, the arts, and space also were recognized.

A two-hour program featured actors portraying suffragettes and other women from the past as well as songs about suffragettes.

It was a very inspiring day. I thought that there’s still hope for baby boomers to accomplish things in their lives and move forward.

I wrote a post about the exhibit called “Washington State Celebrating the Centennial of Votes for Women.”

So be happy, have fun, and get joy. See my article on reducing anger and read McKay’s book for inspiration on healing.

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