A daily dose of PVP.... keeps one healthy?

"Don't make me angry.You wouldn't like me when I'm angry".

Are you the type of player who goes berserk and goes on a killing spree like Incredible Hulk?

Or do you do the best move of all: PLAY DEAD (and curse your murderer in front of your computer?)

Mass Murderer or Target Dummy, whatever role you want to portray, still nothing beats the emotions that players experience during PVP (player vs. player).

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) 'Anger' is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. Moreover, anger triggers the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response. Other emotions that trigger this response include fear, excitement and anxiety. The adrenal glands flood the body with stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. The brain shunts blood away from the gut and towards the muscles, in preparation for physical exertion. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration increase, the body temperature rises and the skin perspires. The mind is sharpened and focused.

I consider players who enjoy PVP with utmost grace are people who excel in anger management. It's very difficult to stay focused and strategize while your anger is eating you. But when does anger becomes unhealthy?

The effects of anger on health have more to do with duration than frequency and intensity. The normal experience of overt anger lasts only a few minutes. But the subtle forms of anger, such as resentment, impatience, irritability, grouchiness, etc., can go on for hours and days at a time. Consistent, prolonged levels of anger give a person a five times greater chance of dying before age 50.(Stosny, 2004)

Anger if prolonged may cause bad effects to our bodies such as: headache, digestion problems, insomia, increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, skin problems, heart attack and stroke.

On a lighter note, there are also a few ways to express anger such as: (as suggested by http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au)

• If you feel out of control, walk away from the situation temporarily, until you cool down.
• Recognise and accept the emotion as normal and part of life.
• Try to pinpoint the exact reasons why you feel angry.
• Once you have identified the problem, consider coming up with different strategies on how to remedy the situation.
• Do something physical, such as going for a run or playing sport.

On a final note, PVP can either be a healthy or an unhealthy way of expressing anger. This depends on the personality of the player. I would consider PVP a healthy way of venting anger but with proper moderation but if you're a type of person who lacks self-control and pampers anger inside then PVP at YOUR OWN RISK.

Princess Peach: "Who's your Mommy now?"