Toxic behavior kills relationships, warns leading happiness expert
NEWNow you can listen to News articles!
Most people spend their lives chasing happiness (or, more often, running away from unhappiness), whether through healthy coping methods or unhealthy escape routes.
Happiness expert Arthur Brooks, a behavioral scientist and professor at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, spoke with News Digital about the balance between happiness and unhappiness.
“They are actually processed in different hemispheres of the brain and you need both,” he said.
HAPPINESS EXPERT SHARES A 6-STEP MORNING ROUTINE THAT IMPROVES MOOD AND PRODUCTIVITY
“You need to have a lot of happiness in order to have a good life, and you need unhappiness because it’s a sign that there are things you need to pay attention to,” Brooks continued.
“If you never had negative emotions, you would be dead in a week. That’s the truth of the matter.”
One of the worst ways to manage negative emotions is through constant overwork, says happiness expert Arthur Brooks. (iStock)
It is important to manage negative emotions, especially for people who tend to experience them more intensely, often called people with “high negative affect,” according to the expert.
There are some unhealthy ways to manage negative affects, such as using drugs and alcohol and using technology as a distraction.
“It’s like scrolling through Instagram and looking at these platforms, just trying to get out of your head, not being in the moment to distract yourself from the things that are really bothering you,” Brooks said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
One of the worst ways to manage negative emotions is through constant, excessive work, or what Brooks calls workaholism.
“Most workaholics are distracted by things in their life that they don’t like,” he said.
The expert suggested managing stress and anxiety through physical activity or spiritual connection instead of work. (iStock)
“And they know they’re super good at work…and they can get into a kind of zone when they’re working, and they don’t think about the things they don’t want to think about. That’s where workaholism usually comes from.”
Brooks noted that today there are “very few workaholics” who are required by a boss to work “too much,” although this can happen. More commonly, it is driven by a personal drive to work harder.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Most workaholics are their own tyrannical bosses,” he said.
Workaholism can lead to the breakdown of relationships with loved ones, from spouses to parents and children, Brooks warned.
“There has never been a workaholic who has had functional relationships,” he said.
“There has never been a workaholic who has had functional relationships,” said the expert. (iStock)
Brooks encouraged those who overwork themselves and may feel it is “damaging” their relationships to reflect and ask themselves, “Why am I doing that?”
“[You] We must do something to control anxiety in a more productive way,” he advised.
TRY OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Instead of numbing out or running away from anxiety or negative thoughts, Brooks suggested tried-and-true practices for mood management, including exercise and metaphysical or spiritual connection.
CLICK HERE TO CLICK INTO THE News APP
“The two best ways to manage your anxiety are to get in touch with your faith or spirituality, lift heavy things, and run,” she said.
“Physical activity, exercise, and spiritual activity… They are so much better for mental health, including relationships.”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.