Typically the words “scientific” and “emotions” don’t seem like they should go together, but here is a list of some interesting scientific facts you probably didn’t know about your emotions.
10. Negative Emotions Can Be Good
“Positivity is key,” well maybe that isn’t as true as “the key is balance.” Recent research proves that the cultural phenomena of positive thinking to reach goals and enjoy life is a bit one sided. It is important in mental health to have and feel negative emotion and understand how to process it. We’re not saying that persistent bad moods and attitudes are healthy, but processing negative emotion can actually lead to a more positive life.
9. They are Hardest to Fake
There are some emotions we are able to fake: excitement, cheer, or humor. However, there are a few emotions that are difficult to fake: anger, fear, and sadness. This is because the nature of these emotions are conflicted creating obvious physical reactions to these emotions in your body and face. Basically, positive emotions are easier for us to fake because they require less body language and tension.
8. Sarcasm Makes You Smarter & More Creative
Have you had your daily dose of sarcasm today? If not, go have a conversation with your most sarcastic friend for a little problem solving and creativity exercises. No really! Sarcasm requires several layers of comprehension in order to analyze and interpret its meaning. When practiced on a daily basis studies show that it can increase creativity and problem solving.
7. Emotions Might Help Predict the Future
A recent Columbian University study shows trusting your gut and emotions accesses what is termed a “privileged window” into the subconscious, leading to the “Emotional Oracle Effect.” The study tested those who trusted, those who were neutral, and those who distrusted their emotions, resulting in the trusting group being better at predicting a range of occurrences – presidential elections, Dow Jones, and the weather!
6. Dreaming Helps Ease Painful Memories
Dreams occur during REM sleep, which has been shown to be vital to the trauma recovery, physical, mental, and emotional. This reason for this is that during REM sleep stress-related hormone production decreases dramatically allowing your brain to process painful memories from a factual rather than emotional perspective.
