I discovered this article that gives me HOPE.
"There's a Bright Side to Being a "Debbie Downer" by Tina Meteka Source: USF
The article is of interest because it raises the term "Emodiversity.
The definition of Emodiversity from the article is:
Emodiversity is a term used to describe rich and balanced emotions.
Emodiversity was broken into 13 positive emotions: cheerful, in good spirits, extremely happy, calm and peaceful, satisfied, full of life, enthusiastic, attentive, proud, active, close to others, belonging and confident,
as well as 14 negative emotions: worthlessness, nervous, restless or fidgety, hopeless, afraid, jittery, irritable, ashamed, upset, lonely, angry, frustrated, that everything is an effort and so sad that nothing could cheer you up.
How does this fit in with Trauma
The article states:
“Experiencing a broad spectrum of emotions is adaptive and beneficial to health because it means having a more balanced and nuanced appraisal of daily life,” said Soomi Lee, assistant professor of aging studies in the University of South Florida College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
“For example, even for negative emotions, feeling intense anger across situations may mean that the individual has a narrow appraisal of situations, whereas feeling a mix of anger, sadness and shame may indicate a broader and more nuanced appraisal.”
This gives me HOPE because it tells me that all the emotions I have experienced through my life journey of adversity and trauma, has been beneficial to my health because it means I have a "more balanced and nuanced appraisal of daily life"
The final paragraph of the article provides me with sunshine:
In addition to emodiversity, previous studies have found greater activity diversity is also associated with higher psychological well-being, better cognitive functioning and brain volume that governs memory and learning.
Upon reflection, which we all must do often, I know that I have better cognitive functioning and I know from an MRI scan that I have a hippocampal volume that is greater than expected which explains why I have the capacity to learn and to be innovative despite all the trauma and adversity I have endured.
There is always a silver lining we just have to believe that there is and find it
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