When you see a comment on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. that you know will lead to conflict or is driven by anger and hatred, what do you do? Do you scroll and ignore, engage, or try to help them see another side? Do you ever wonder what that sort of hate affects or what it might do to another person?
For years, we have been accustomed to hateful comments, hate speech, and propaganda against not just Israel, but hate from all sides, against all things. From politics to pizza toppings, people have opinions and typically do not care to listen to anyone else's. When we do not listen to one another, misunderstanding turns to anger, anger turns to hate, and hate turns to wrath against a person, race, or any opposing opinion. But what does that emotion inflict on us in our day-to-day life?
According to NeuroLaunch and their article, Wrath: Examining the Complex Nature of This Intense Emotion, “The longer-term consequences are less flattering. When wrath persists, when the body stays in that heightened state for hours, days, or weeks, the cumulative effect on health is significant. Chronic stress-hormone activation is linked to cardiovascular disease, weakened immune response, sleep disruption, and gastrointestinal problems.” So while hate, wrath, love, and joy are all human emotions, you can’t exactly escape what is already inside you, but you can learn to control how you react.
Finding peace in your life, rather than resorting to hateful tactics, is a great place to start. Instead of arguing with someone who does not want to learn your side of the conversation, leave it alone. Take a breath and understand that not everyone wants to change their mind. Not everyone wants to see another side, for they might just be blinded by hate or a false narrative, but you don’t have to be. NeruoLaunch also writes that “Venting or 'releasing' wrath tends to amplify it rather than reduce it; the instinctive relief strategy is empirically counterproductive.” Instead of letting your emotions run wild, you can have meaningful conversations calmly and respectfully if you simply let go of the anger and hate towards the other side or opinion.
We are divided enough, and social media has its downsides, but it can also be a way for us to come together if we simply listen, learn, and let go of the hate. By letting go of all the negativity and learning accurate facts from reliable sources, we can start building bridges of peace, love, and truth.
