Andy’s Quick Hits (72): Experiencing a Wide Range of Emotions is Good for You

In much motivational and popular literature we often find the mantra of “finding happiness” and people associate this with being happy all the time, living in a constant state of bliss. Sounds good right?

Wrong!

Why is it wrong?

Well, first of all, us human beings are fundamentally designed to experience different emotions, it’s a sign that we’re alive. I’ve always promoted accepting and not worrying about all those negative emotions we have. In fact research has shown they are beneficial, can increase motivation, increase creativity, and also help make those happy moments happier.

In fact emodiversity is linked to higher well being. This isn’t to suggest that higher negative emotions are good, in contrast constant negative emotion is bad, but some negative emotions with a combination of positive emotions is a very healthy state to be in.

What’s more, recent research by Soomi Lee and colleagues from the University of South Florida has shown that this emotional diversity is related to a variety of activities. The more activities people engage in the higher their emotional diversity and the higher their well being.