Positive Emotions In Our Life Beyond Happiness

“Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave. And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.” – Harvey Mackay

Wherever we look these days we are surrounded by negative emotions and sadness. Being happy and staying happy takes out a lot of energy from us. People keep saying “be happy” or “stay happy” but what exactly is happiness?

Being happy doesn’t mean that you need to look happy. Being happy requires that you feel happy. But how?

When we say “positive emotions” I bet the first emotion that comes to mind is – happiness. There is a wide range of emotions that play a part in helping us stay happy. These positive emotions increase our power of resilience and improve the quality of our life.

Importance Of Positive Emotions

1.Reduce Stress

Positive emotions decrease the influence stress and anxiety have on us and helps us better our coping skills. A very good example of this would be Laughter therapy. A good laugh with some friends works as a really effective stress reliever as it engulfs our body with serotonin and other stress-relieving hormones.

Also Read: Best Relaxation Techniques To Combat Stress, Anxiety, and More

2.Builds Resilience

Feeling positive emotions can also help improve our resilience power. Positive emotions enhance social skills, empathy, and self-control that helps in bouncing back from stressful events quite easily.

3.Increases Productivity

Positive emotions can improve performance at work, social relationships, and can increase job satisfaction. Feeling emotions other than happiness can also lead to better organizational skills and decrease negative emotions such as anger and cynicism.

Also Read: How To Motivate Yourself When You Don’t Want To Work

Common Positive Emotions

1. Joy

Joy is the emotion we feel when we are pleased by an unexpected event or situation. Joy is a sign that we need to welcome the experience and enjoy the moment.

2. Gratitude

Gratitude often comes up when we appreciate something or someone. Feeling grateful in times when we receive gifts and offer kindness is important. Being thankful moves us to consider understanding and care for others.

Also Read Your Complete Gratitude Guide| It Is Good To Be Grateful

3. Pride

Feeling pride in our own skills can make us feel motivated to achieve success. Keep in mind that pride is not always a positive thing.

4. Tranquility

Feeling content and calm helps us enjoy the moment as it is. It encourages us to be present, reevaluate ourselves, and get a deeper understanding of our inner selves.

5. Curiosity

Being curious is a good thing as it helps us experience something novel and exciting at the same time. Whether it is reading a book or discovering something new, curiosity requests us to explore and gain an understanding of the world around us.

6. Humor

Humor is an emotion that is tied with laughter and happiness. Humor is defined as “the quality of being amusing or comic; something non-serious. When we share a good-humored laugh with our friends, it helps us enhance and nourish our relationships.

Also Read: Why Use Humor as a Motivational Tool in the Workplace?

7. Hope

We need hope. This is an emotion that helps us get through those tough times and gives us a feeling of anticipation. It is often guided by fear and unhappiness but having hope urge us to imagine a better future with confidence and resilience.

Also Read: 11 Reasons why Hope is Beneficial and Important for us

8. Inspiration

Having inspiration in our lives is important as it drives us to achieve our best. Inspiration helps us to connect with the potential to do something extraordinary in ourselves.

9. Awe

There are not many things that raise the feeling of awe in us but when we experience awe, it brings with it a sense of something bigger and greater than ourselves. Awe transforms our view with wonder and admiration.

10. Love

Love is an emotion that humans and animals alike feel quite frequently. It is defined as “an intense feeling of deep affection”. Feeling love for someone brings forth the feeling of intimacy, respect, and trust.

Now when you experience a stressful situation, remember to focus on these positive emotions instead. Times are tough but instead of focusing on the negative, try to envision the positive in things and situations.

To feel calm and serene, you don’t need to isolate yourself or be alone. Allow yourself to enjoy the good and positive in things. It’s the small things that matter.

Experiencing emotions other than happiness is what will help you improve your well-being – mind, heart, and body.

Keep smiling and keep feeling happy!

Related Articles You May Like to Read:

Positive Psychology: When Life Gives You Lemons

RAIN- Mindfulness Tool to Deal With Your Overwhelming Emotions

30 Ways to Spread Positive Vibes