Seething with anger and want to let it out? Go ahead, researchers say.
Grumpy, annoyed and ready to lash out? You can still be happy, researchers say.
The key to happiness is being able to feel and express the emotions you want, a new study finds. Even if those emotions aren't good. What makes us miserable is holding all those emotions in, according to a report by the Metro. Those who didn't express their emotions were found to be less happy.
2,300 university students from around the world participate in the study. They were asked:
- What kind of emotions they felt and desired
- How would they rate their happiness and life satisfaction overall
Researchers found people desired to have pleasant emotions, but were more satisfied if they experienced emotions that they accepted. Letting yourself accept and feel emotions like love or anger were far beneficial and healthy.
"If you feel emotions you want to feel, even if they’re unpleasant, then you’re better off, " Dr Maya Tamir lead researcher of the study told BBC.
More research is needed as the study only assessed anger and hatred and didn't look into if other negative emotions produced the same results.
For now, researchers simply suggest to acknowledge your emotions and not try to hide them to feel happier.