Positive Side to Worrying
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Worry: it does a body good, and, the mind as well. A new paper by Kate Sweeny, psychology professor at the University of California, Riverside, argues there is an upside to worrying.
"Despite its negative reputation, not all worry is destructive or even futile," Sweeny said. "It has motivational benefits, and it acts as an emotional buffer."
In her latest article, published in Social and Personality Psychology Compass, Sweeny breaks down the role of worry in motivating preventive and protective behavior, and how it leads people to avoid unpleasant events.
Sweeny finds worry is associated with recovery from traumatic events, adaptive preparation and planning, recovery from depression, and partaking in activities that promote health, and prevent illness. Furthermore, people who report greater worry may perform better -- in school or at the workplace -- seek more information in response to stressful events, and engage in more successful problem solving.
In the paper, Sweeny noted three explanations for worry's motivating effects.
1. Worry serves as a cue that the situation is serious and requires action. People use their emotions as a source of information when making judgements and decisions.
2. Worrying about a stressor keeps the stressor at the front of one's mind and prompts people toward action.
3. The unpleasant feeling of worry motivates people to find ways to reduce their worry.
Worry can also benefit one's emotional state by serving as an emotional bench-mark. Compared to the state of worry, any other feeling is pleasurable by contrast. In other words, the pleasure that comes from a good experience is heightened if preceded by a bad experience.
