The subjective response to events or statements made by people around us is called an emotion on a psychological level. It can be negative, neutral, or positive. The first is considered the most undesirable, the second allows avoiding severe stress and depression, but should not prevail. Positive emotions are the best and most desirable in everyone’s life. Their prevalence gives a person an incentive for new achievements and allows him to move towards achieving the goals.
Where do positive human emotions come from?
The body’s response to external stimuli originates in the brain structures. The hypothalamus, limbic formation and other departments are involved in forming positive emotions. Encouraging factors are biological and social, when a person gets his or her immediate needs met. If this does not happen, negativity begins to dominate in a person’s life, reflecting poorly on absolutely all aspects, from personal relationships to work.
The mechanism of positive moods has been studied for a long time. Research is ongoing to this day. Three theories are the most widespread:
- Wundt. The scientist suggested that a positive emotion arises as an associative reaction to a certain situation. In most people they are identical, but sometimes they are different. One is touched and smiled at by a kitten, while in another, on the contrary, it causes fear, as it is associated with scratches, allergies, and so on.
- Zayontz. The theory is based on the influx of venous blood, that is, with purely physiological changes. The study found that vasoconstriction and dilation change brain temperature and mood. According to this theory, positive and negative emotions are formed by different signals of the facial muscles, leading to vasoconstriction or, conversely, dilation. If a person smiles a lot, it means he is in a good mood and experiences happiness.
- This theory was developed by Jams and Lange. The theory was developed by scientists separately from each other, but boils down to a single principle. It says that the emotion is born through a specific chain: a stimulus – a physiological process – a signal to the brain. It lies in the ability not just to control, but to change an emotion.
Everyone experiences positive emotions, but the stimuli may differ. A herpetologist will be delighted to see a rare snake, while another will be frightened, stupefied or, on the contrary, run away. This means that it is possible and necessary to form a positive attitude on your own.
Positive emotions and health
A positive emotional background has a good effect on well-being. It is directly related to the production of joy hormones called endorphins. They help to normalize biochemical processes, as well as improve the functioning of organs and systems of the body. The more positive emotions a person experiences, the better his health. This confirms the statement that laughter prolongs life.
Emotional background directly affects not only the mood and state of mind, but also the physical state. Unsatisfied with life leads to moping, depression, psychological disorders, and on the nervous basis of many diseases, including cardiovascular and other systems. It’s not just important to be happy, it’s vital.
The three most important positive emotions
There are an enormous number of gradations. They include both positive and negative feelings experienced by a person. The most important of the positive ones are considered to be the following:
- Happiness. The highest level of satisfaction with all aspects of life. It is this state that is characterized by the greatest number of positive emotions. It is not momentary and cannot be characterized by any distinctive features. On the other hand, a happy person can be identified by the eyes, a slight smile, as well as a certain positive aura.
- Joy. This emotion is the opposite of sadness. It comes from the contemplation of something beautiful, pleasant communication, beauty, movement. In this state, a person feels most comfortable. There is harmony with oneself and the environment.
- Desire. Many psychologists consider this emotion to be neutral and not one of the main ones. If we talk about self-development and self-improvement, it is positive. Motivation for new achievements, acquiring a clear goal and action plan for achievement against the background of an excellent mood and complete satisfaction with life, becomes the basis for success.
Satisfying a desire causes joy. The more such emotions are experienced, the happier people feel.
What about grief?
A life full of positive emotions is attainable, but it is impossible without upsetting events. It is impossible to always smile, laugh, and rejoice. There are moments of disappointment. The main thing is how they are perceived.
It was written above that a person can control his emotional background. If one succumbs to a bad mood from a failure, begins to constantly complain, whine, it will lead to a deterioration of well-being and depression.
Any failure or negativity should be perceived calmly, quickly experienced and overcome. This is the only condition for not turning into an unhappy and perpetually suffering from dissatisfaction.
Where do you get the positive emotions from?
There is no universal recipe for happiness, but there are tips to achieve it. In order for positivity to always prevail, it is necessary:
- Living your own life. Focusing on the values of society at the current moment in time makes you feel positive emotions only when they coincide with your own desires. Don’t aspire to be an Instagram star if that kind of activity contradicts your aspirations and doesn’t bring you joy. Look for your own milestones. If you like the rest in the mountains, do not go to the sea. There are many examples. Positive emotions in different people cause different things.
- Do good without looking back. Expecting feedback most often leads to disappointment. If you want to help or do good to another person, do it for the reason that their happiness makes you happy. Otherwise, goodness becomes a barter or a “I give you this and you give me that” type of commercial transaction. The difference is that there is no contract with spelled out terms. This leads to a misunderstanding of the other party. When you announce in advance that you will help a person only that he will return the favor, he may not agree, because it is a stretch to call it good.
- Accept failure correctly. A good response that leads to positive emotions is to look for and correct mistakes. Betrayal or deception is always partly your own fault. It can be over-trusting or misinterpreting a friendship. You think someone is your best friend, and he acts and behaves like a good acquaintance, a guy or girl has never thought to link life with you, and you have made plans for the future. Learn to see clearly the thoughts and attitudes of others toward yourself. This applies to other areas of life as well.
- Move forward. Black stripe passes when a person is striving for the white. The main thing is to learn to look for a way out of the situation, to stop constantly making excuses and complaining about the unfavorable set of circumstances. There are things that cannot be fixed, but no one prevents us from finding in the moment what makes us happy. If the company where you built a successful career and gave practically all of yourself has closed, you don’t have to become unemployed and afraid to start over. It can give you the impetus to start your own business.
- Look for your own sources of happiness. Positive emotions don’t just drop on your head. They are man-made. Build your life in such a way that there are factors in your life that cause you to be happy. Listen to your favorite music on the way to work. Take vacations in places you want to go. Cook food that brings you joy. Make time for the little pleasures.
Experiencing positive emotions is vital to happiness and well-being, as well as health. Learn to surround yourself with pleasant things, people, and get rid of negativity as quickly and painlessly as possible.
