7 Toxic Emotions That Prevent Your Happiness

Fear is essential for survival, but it can also become a serious psychological problem.

There is one term that is very widely used in psychology and personal development: toxicity. In this context, it is often about  toxic emotions  or toxic behavior. Today we invite you to reflect on this topic with us.

There are no toxic people. There are only people who are unable to develop a respectful, healthy relationship. The expression “ toxic emotions” means  hurtful feelings that do not allow yourself or others to be happy.

Toxic emotions render sufferers unable to achieve strong psychological health. The sole purpose of the term “toxic” is to express simply and clearly that the feelings are hurtful, negative feelings that lead to  dysfunctional behavior, pain, unhappiness and illness. 

We’ll then look at basic feelings that affect your wellbeing and your ability to lead a happy and healthy life.

1. Shame

It is said that the feeling of shame flattens over time. But this is not always the case. This feeling can also grow so much that it takes on too important a role in your life.

There are many different types of shame:  the shame of being yourself; wearing certain clothes; to share with someone you like; to ask a question; to trust someone; to be vulnerable; …

There are certain social rules and regulations in daily life that  are observed for moral reasons, for kindness or for other reasons. But the feeling of shame often limits one’s own personality, because it goes hand in hand with fear and insecurity.

Accept things even if you are uncomfortable with them, work on yourself so that your feelings of shame don’t stop you from being happy.

2. Anxiety is dangerous toxic emotions

Morbid anxiety states are toxic and negatively affect your everyday life:

• If you feel constantly threatened, suffer from intense stress and anxiety that is consuming you from within, these toxic emotions make you unable to lead a normal life.
• Constant  states of fear discourage you, reduce your performance and your ability to concentrate.

3. Sorrow

Sorrow is a combination of different negative emotions: fear, feeling of threat, negativity, insecurity, frustration and pain … If this develops into a permanent state, then all of life is negative. Freedom, happiness and personal development are blocked as a result.

4. Constant dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction can be an important tool for moving forward and changing and improving things.

• However, when this dissatisfaction is chronic, it does not drive us, but becomes an all-consuming disease.
• At some point  you will lose all your enthusiasm, energy and motivation. You won’t laugh anymore.

Chronic dissatisfaction often manifests itself in depression.

5. Envy

Envy is mostly hidden,  but indicates poor self-esteem.

• Envy drives you to take the path of suffering. Achieving or wanting something that others have can be devastating to psychological health. Envy weakens the immune system!
• Those who are unable to enjoy the success of others are not doing themselves any good. First learn to love yourself, then you will be happy for others too! 

6. Constant fear

Happiness could simply be defined as the “absence of fear”.

But fear is a natural defense mechanism to identify threats and prepare for them. Often, however, this fear is triggered by unreal threats. You are scared because everything always goes wrong, you are afraid of criticism, of being alone … In this case, this negative emotion restricts your everyday life and does not allow you to be happy.

7. Frustration

Healthy frustration motivates you to change and improve. But excessive frustration and fears often have a toxic effect, they keep you away from your dreams and destroy your happiness. 

• Frustration often occurs after a setback, disappointment, or an unachieved goal.
• Learn from your mistakes instead of being guided by frustration and bitterness. Look ahead, take the reins of your life and find the path to success. 

Everyone knows these emotions, which can  also be used for positive purposes, as long as you don’t lose control of them. Don’t let them turn into toxic emotions that hinder your happiness.