According to Dr. Lisa Firestone, the best thing to do when confronted with strong negative emotions, such as being let down by a friend or partner, or having an argument with a child, is to stay with the pain. We expend more energy trying to avoid pain than we would just facing those feelings. In addition to the real possibility of making ourselves feel worse trying to avoid pain, it also creates a defensive habit that can lead to hurting others unintentionally. Facing emotionally challenging situations also makes us more emotionally adaptive and people who face negative feelings often end up feeling more refreshed the next day.
Read the full article here: Why it is Good For You to Feel Negative Emotions