Embracing and enduring distress can lead to growth and success in various contexts.
Cognitive diffusion and self-affirmation are effective strategies for managing painful emotions and empowering individuals.
Deep dives
The importance of dealing with distress
Dealing with unhappiness and distress is a fundamental issue for humans. Researchers have conducted experiments to determine effective strategies. It is important to find techniques that help cope with distress.
The power of embracing and enduring distress
Rather than avoiding distress, individuals who are able to embrace and endure it often experience growth and success. This can be seen in various contexts, such as therapy and overcoming anxiety. Tolerating distress can lead to greater strength and positive outcomes.
Using cognitive techniques to process painful emotions
Cognitive diffusion and self-affirmation are strategies that help individuals manage painful emotions. Cognitive diffusion involves recognizing thoughts as separate from oneself, while self-affirmation empowers individuals by highlighting their strengths and virtues.
The benefits of challenging distress and pursuing goals
Distress can be used as fuel and motivation to push individuals towards their goals. Challenging distressing emotions and focusing on meaningful activities can lead to increased joy, meaning, and positive outcomes.
It's natural to want to run away from difficult emotions such as grief, anger and fear. But what happens when these feelings catch up with us? This week, in the second installment of our Happiness 2.0 series, psychologist Todd Kashdan looks at the relationship between distress and happiness, and how to keep difficult emotions from sabotaging our wellbeing.
Did you catch the first episode in our series on happiness? You can find last week's conversation on how to build a lasting sense of contentment here. And if you enjoy the show and would like to help us make more episodes of Hidden Brain, please consider supporting our work. Thanks!
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