Why Do We Need "Bad" Emotions? User's Guide | MriyaRun

Lately, millions of people have been living in a background mode of anxiety. Uncertainty, global changes, and invisible dangers force us to feel fear. And it is unpleasant. Fear feels like a hole in the stomach; it squeezes the heart, makes hands tremble, and turns legs to jelly.

No one wants to feel fear. Similarly, we try to avoid anger, sadness, and disgust. We are ready to give up a lot just to get rid of these "negative" feelings.

You might be surprised, but it is impossible to get rid of emotions. Even if you meditate for years or consider yourself an "iron person." And this is great news. Because the ability to feel is a sign of mental health. The absence of emotions is actually an alarming symptom indicating deep psychological distress.

But why do we need this mechanism? Let's figure out how to turn emotions from enemies into allies.

Imagine that your emotions are evolutionary software installed for survival. A human baby is born with a dowry—built-in basic emotions. This mechanism exists in animals too. A dog reads another dog's intentions instantly: bared teeth, raised hackles, or a wagging tail—it is a universal language.

Ancient humans were in the same position. Before the advent of speech, emotions and the body's reaction to them were the only means of communication. But today, besides the function of communicating with others, emotions perform the crucial function of communicating with oneself.

Every emotion is a signal about a need. It is a red light on the dashboard of your life.

Fear is our bodyguard. It screams: "Attention! Threat!". For ancestors, it was a "Fight or Flight" signal. Today, threats have changed (instead of a tiger—layoffs or crisis), but the mechanism remains.

How to use it: Instead of panicking, decode the signal. Fear calls for preparation.

Anger is protective energy. It arises when our boundaries are violated or we do not get what we want. Is someone encroaching on your time, resources, or values? Anger gives you the strength to stop it.

How to use it: Do not swallow your anger. Ask yourself:

Sadness shows our vulnerability. We only grieve for what is truly important to us. It is a marker of value. In ancient times, an expression of sadness was a signal to the tribe: "I need help." Today, sadness performs a braking function. It forces us to slow down.

How to use it: Do not try to cheer yourself up forcibly.

Emotions are not just annoying experiences. They are your best friends and advisors. Do not ignore them. Learn to decipher their language, and you will gain access to the most powerful resource for managing your life.

Check what you usually do when you feel "negativity":

The theory that "anger is about boundaries" sounds nice. But how do you feel it in the moment when you are boiling over? I, Dmytro Telushko, have created tools that turn theory into practice: