Robert Biswas-Diener: The Hidden Power of Negative Emotions
Suppression is a pretty blunt psychological instrument, and what you get when you suppress negative feelings is you also suppress positive feelings.
What if embracing your darker emotions could actually lead to a happier, more successful life? In this episode of 'The One You Feed', Eric Zimmer chats with psychologist and author Robert Biswas-Diener about the surprising benefits of our so-called negative emotions. Known for his work in positive psychology, Biswas-Diener flips the script by exploring how emotions like anger and guilt can be useful tools rather than burdens.
He compares emotions to a thermometer, suggesting that trying to experience only positive feelings is like breaking the thermometer altogether. Instead of avoiding or suppressing these emotions, Biswas-Diener argues for emotional agility and flexibility, showing how these traits can help us navigate life's challenges more effectively. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your emotions or struggled with the idea that you should always be happy, this episode offers a refreshing perspective.
Biswas-Diener's insights might just change the way you think about your emotional landscape and how you handle it.