Live, love and laugh: Study reveals why you shouldn't hide positive emotions
A study finds that suppressing positive emotions can negatively impact wellbeing, preventing you from being your true self and hindering overall happiness.
The display of emotion evokes a particular kind of raw vulnerability. Emotions are integral to both intrapersonal and interpersonal interactions, substantially refining how we see ourselves and the world around us. It’s healthy to express ourselves without any inhibitions. But sometimes, due to cultural and social reasons, emotions are controlled and shielded. A study conducted in the United States and Taiwan and published in Affective Science elaborates on how this suppression of outward displays of emotion is harmful to overall wellbeing.
ALSO READ: Is it better to be happy or right? Study says people don't experience positive emotions when…
Raw emotions
Emotions are the polar opposite of cold logic, which follows a strict, predictable pattern. Emotions, however, are erratic and random, revealing the deepest and most vulnerable parts of people. So, naturally, it feels like second nature to hide emotions; whether it’s boys avoiding sensitivity for fear of being emasculated, or girls setting aside their true feelings for fear of being labelled as too dramatic. Emotions always attract labels.
Similarly, happy emotions get villainised too. There’s probably an old childhood saying with various cultural iterations; “Don't laugh too much; you will end up crying later.” It is a way to curb happy, excited, and sweet positive emotions. However, research shows that hiding positive emotions, in particular, keeps you from being true to yourself and lowers your overall wellbeing.
ALSO READ: Practicing mindfulness of emotions: What does it look like? Therapist answers
Hiding positive emotions is more harmful
The researchers conducted elaborate, cross-cultural studies in both the USA and Taiwan. They found that people were inclined to hide negative emotions like sadness and anger more than positive emotions like happiness and excitement. However, this is where it gets interesting. When people suppress positive emotions, it’s more likely to affect them. It’s connected to overall lower wellbeing such as self-esteem and confidence . And since the studies were conducted in Taiwan and the United States and showed similar results, this is likely to be universal across various cultures. Suppressing positive emotion leads to poor life satisfaction, happiness, and lacking the feeling of fulfilment.
ALSO READ:Emotionally neglected people face difficulty in sharing their emotions; here's why
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.