"The Upside of Feeling Down"

Compliments of Matthew Hutson (Psychology Today)

"We have the wrong idea about emotions. They're very rational; they are tools carved by eons of human experience to direct us where we need to go."

Though happiness tends to be our ultimate goal in life, Hutson contends that negative emotions do us a great favour, often urging us to make necessary changes. Each emotion has a specific job to do and a certain reaction in our body - sweating, laughing, desiring revenge, becoming optimistic, summoning specific memories etc.. Apparently, "negative" emotions are crucial to our existence and crucial to feeling good.

* Anger - protects us from being exploited and can get us what we want. Swallowing our anger can actually lead to depression and health problems. Anger often motivates us to action, by boosting our confidence, optimism and risk-taking tendencies. Anger signals to others that we have the strength of resources and resolve, which may allow us to be perceived as higher status, more empowered and credible. Anger on a grander scale can fuel social progress.

* Shame and embarrassment - often lead to vulnerability and humility, enabling us to live side by side, with greater trust in one another.

* Envy - emulating someone we envy can spur us on to greater persistence and performance, which can often leads to success.

* Fear - can stimulate vivid pictures of what's about to go wrong and prepare us for pending difficulty, as our focus narrows and our senses perk up.

* Anxiety -  can let us know when we're not being true to ourselves and how our actions are not aligned with our deepest values.

* Regret and disappointment - allow us to ponder alternate realities and causality. Mistakes are excellent learning opportunities, as our emotions can add regret to injury. Apparently, the greater the regret, the more memorable and effective our changes will be.

* Confusion, frustration and boredom - can make us more productive and determined because we are forced to be more methodical and abstract in our thinking and problem solving.

* Sadness and grief - signal that restoration is needed and motivate change, with a drive to create something positive. Sadness can make us more rational and less gullible, with more concrete thinking and greater sensitivity. Accepting sadness can actually lower depression. Sadness also signals to others that we may need help.

In summary, all of the emotions allow us the full range of human experience. "While you never look for grief, "says Barbara Perry, "it's one of the hugest growing experiences you'll ever have. It deepens you as a human being."

Blessings,

Chatgirl