Lean Into Negative Emotions. It’s the Healthy Thing to Do.
By Melinda Wenner Moyer for The New York Times
Recent research suggests that while bad feelings can affect your well-being, your perspective on those feelings can play an even bigger role in your mental health.
In a study published last month in the journal Emotion, researchers found that people who habitually judge negative feelings — such as sadness, fear and anger — as bad or inappropriate have more anxiety and depression symptoms and feel less satisfied with their lives than people who generally perceive their negative emotions in a positive or neutral light.
The findings add to a growing body of research that indicates people fare better when they accept their unpleasant emotions as appropriate and healthy, rather than try to fight or suppress them.
Learn why judging your feelings can backfire by reading the full article here.