Psychology Today ran this article last week suggesting that acknowledging other people’s unhappiness is the key to making them feel happier. Sounds odd – backwards, even – since our usual response to someone telling us they’re unhappy or stressed is to be positive and encourage them.
When you think about it, though, how annoying is it when you’re feeling gloomy and someone tells you to “cheer up”? It certainly doesn’t cheer you up, does it?
I’ve found, too, that when other people deny or ignore my feelings, I tend to keep repeating myself (i.e., whining), because I think my feelings haven’t registered.
Have you found that acknowledging bad feelings allows them to dissipate better?
Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project Blog (Psychology Today)
The full post is a fascinating read. Check it out.
Thanks to LifeHacker for tipping me to the post with their original link here.