Unfortunately we are habituated to pay attention to the negative emotions or negative impact: Depression/Sadness/Anger/Stress and Anxiety
A leading researcher in Positive Psychology, devoted most of her time understanding the benefits of positive emotions. She developed the ‘Broadening Effect’ of positive emotions. Basis of her great work which is now published:
1. Positive emotions broaden our thought-action repertoires
2. Broaden our attention and thinking – we have more positive thoughts
When we are experiencing positive emotions – we are more creative, see more opportunities, and are open to relationships with others, to play, to be more flexible and open-minded.
3. Positive emotions undo negative emotions- mild joy and contentment can eliminate the stress experienced at a psychological level.
4. Positive emotions enhance resilience
Enjoyment, happy playfulness, contentment, satisfaction, warm friendship, love and affection, all enhance resilience and our ability to cope, while negative emotions, in contrast, decrease them.
Positive emotions can enhance problem-focused coping and reappraisal, or infuse negative events with positive meaning, all of which facilitate fast bouncing back after an unpleasant event.
5. Positive emotions build the psychological collection/inventory
It is not only momentary, positive emotions help to build important physical, intellectual, social and psychological resources that are enduring, even though the emotions themselves are temporary. E.g. positive emotions associated with play can build physical abilities; self-mastery and enjoyable times with friends increase social skills.
6. Positive emotions can trigger an upward developmental spiral – just the reverse of negative emotion which triggers a downward spiral
With all these learnings we can conclude and consider positive emotions as a means of leading a better life