Getting angry could help you achieve your goals, new research suggests.

Often perceived as a negative emotion, anger can actually be a powerful motivator for people to meet challenging targets in their lives.

It is useful in achieving more challenging goals, but does not appear to be linked to easier tasks, the study suggests.

The findings suggest emotions that are often considered negative, such as anger, boredom or sadness, can be useful.

Lead author Heather Lench, a professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at Texas A and M University, USA, said: “People often believe that a state of happiness is ideal, and the majority of people consider the pursuit of happiness a major life goal.

  • No_Ones_Slick_Like_Gaston@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering… And the allure of the dark side of the force.
    There’s no point on embracing these if it directly impacts your health and makes you bitter and in the long run unhappy.

    • toasteecup@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      There’s a difference between holding a grudge (unhealthy negative impact behavior) and getting upset at something momentarily.

      The act of being upset for a moment comes with adrenaline which can be a fantastic short term boost in physical and mental ability.

      • No_Ones_Slick_Like_Gaston@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Thanks for the input, agreed, different outcomea between using this rush to overcome something immediately rather that let it fester in our minds, big difference there.

        • toasteecup@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Yup yup yup. That’s my big takeway which honestly I’ve used throughout my life with overcoming particularly difficult challenges. 'Ain’t no way this thing is going to stop me!"

    • GoodEye8@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Do you not swat a mosquito when it’s buzzing around you? If you do it’s because it has made you angry. Anger is a tool for change, it just needs to be used responsibly because it can also change you.