Findings of Harvard scientists have made it possible to argue that venting negative emotions in a controlled manner ensures sustaining mental health. On the other hand, a person swept by anger could be dangerous to themselves and the others.
The study in question involved 824 people aged over 40. It’s curious enough that those participants who tend not to let out negative emotions, dwelling on them, said they reached the peak of their careers three times more often than the rest of the group.
Today’s society regards anger as very threatening emotion. So called “positive thinking” has been widely cultivated recently, an attitude that could possibly lead to a life totally devoid of anger. According to the head of the study, professor George Valliant, this practice couldn’t be more wrong because suppressing negative emotions (which are vital to our survival) eventually bounce back badly on a person. Scientists claim it again that fear, anger and other negative feelings are natural to humans and bear significant meaning.
Scientists say negative emotions give us the power to survive. However, professor Valliant who is director of the Study of Adult Development (the publisher of the study) points out that uncontrolled anger is destructive. According to the professor, we all feel anger but people who are able to vent some steam without serious consequences tend to make a lot of progress in emotional growth and mental health.
Source of the image: marieclaire.com.
