10 emotions that change your life

1. Thanks

This is probably the most studied positive emotion. Sonya, PhD in Psychology

"Improving happiness includes building good social relationships, strengthening self-worth and minimizing comparisons," Lyubomirsky said. "But most importantly - gratitude helps us reduce the pursuit of pleasure! Saying thank you is very important. Don't be stingy with your gratitude!"

2. Hope

Unlike most positive emotions, hope is not generated in a safe and familiar environment, but in a less comfortable one. At its core, hope is the hope that things can change and get better… Hope sustains you and gives you the motivation to change, and it’s good to have contingency plans in times of uncertainty. Hope or optimism can be learned - these are all about changing your perspective on things.

3. Joy

In fact, everyone has such a toy stored in their heart - joy. It is about the fun and interesting things you have experienced, and it is often used to share. Joy is having an impromptu pillow fight, singing at the top of your lungs, or jumping up and down on your bed. Joy comes from the results of things that happen - a baby's smile, an unexpected gift, a visit from a friend, or a personal success story. Joyful experiences develop many skills, such as hand-eye coordination, which you can use in all aspects of your life.

4. Tranquility

A bit like a more mature, lasting version of joy, serenity is an overall feeling of peace that allows you to feel completely undisturbed by the world around you. In your daily life, you have to deal with countless trivial things. In your busy life, you feel less and less quiet. Most of us can only feel a moment of peace when we are on vacation. A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin in the United States showed that when monks meditate, their brains are filled with happy and positive thoughts. But to feel peaceful, it takes more effort. Meditation is a classic way to achieve a state of tranquility, but that doesn't mean you need to sit cross-legged for long periods of time.

5. Interests

Interest, also caused by our curiosity, leads us to investigate, to learn, to develop, to win the Nobel Prize, to find something that wakes you up from the routine, or a project, problem or activity that interests you. It attracts your attention to new things that inspire you and make you feel good about the world. Fear closes our minds and hearts, while positive emotions open them.

6. Proud

You need to use this emotion with the right amount of humility. This kind of pride is a feeling about yourself or your success in life. When you reach a goal, take a moment to celebrate yourself instead of just starting to focus on your "next thing." It's okay to be a little complacent about your success.

7. Entertainment

Laughter can make you feel good. Who doesn't like to look for opportunities to have fun? Researchers have found that when we hear laughter or positive sounds, it activates a certain area of ​​our brain, and the corresponding expression is - smiling. We often experience positive emotions, such as laughing or cheering loudly in a group setting, watching a comedy show with family, or watching a football game with friends. This response in the brain, which automatically makes us smile or laugh, is very important in building strong connections between individuals in a group. ”

8. Encouragement

Inspiration pushes you forward, expands your thinking, and makes you feel connected to the world around you. You might find "inspiration" in looking at a painting or reading a story of triumph over adversity in the newspaper. Inspiration is an emotion that allows you to positively place yourself in different situations. The key is that the more inspired you feel, the more often you will put yourself in that environment.

9. Reverence

It’s that “Grand Canyon” feeling that’s evoked when we’re faced with the expanse of nature, when we lie on the ground and look at the Milky Way or when we find Fox Glacier up close for the first time. Awe can also have physical manifestations, with a creepy, tingling feeling. Being moved with awe doesn't happen at your local supermarket, or anywhere you frequent.

10. Love

Love is the most powerful and frequent emotion we experience. But we're not just talking about romantic love. There are many other types of love: love for parents, children, friends, pets, love for nature. Love triggers more specific positive emotions. A US study involving 160 women found that having sex with another person can increase your levels of the hormone progesterone. People with higher progesterone hormone levels are more eager to connect with others, more willing to help others, and will relatively reduce the anxiety and stress brought about by life.