London - Feeling anger, hate or sadness can help you feel happy, research has found.
People are happier if they let themselves feel the emotions they desire even if they are negative, the study suggests.
A survey of more than 2 300 university students in eight countries found those who allowed themselves to feel a wider range of emotions reported experiencing greater life satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms.
The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, found that around one in ten respondents actually wanted to feel more negative emotions, such as anger or hate.
Professor Maya Tamir said the findings may shed light on the unrealistic expectations many people have about their own feelings.
She said: "People want to feel very good all the time in Western cultures."
"If you feel emotions you want to feel – even if they’re unpleasant – then you’re better off."