The Science of Jealousy and Unhappiness: How to Be Happier More Often
"Jealousy is all the fun you think they had." — Erica Jong Jealousy is an emotion that can feel all-consuming, often triggered by comparisons and a fear of losing what we hold dear. But what if the root of this emotion lies not in what we lack, but in how we perceive what others have? In this blog, we will explore the science behind jealousy and unhappiness, and more importantly, we’ll examine research-backed strategies to cultivate more happiness in our lives. Understanding Jealousy: A Natural Yet Harmful Emotion Jealousy is a complex emotion, one that often arises when we perceive a threat to our resources, relationships, or status. From an evolutionary standpoint, jealousy served as an adaptive mechanism to protect what was valuable—whether it was securing a mate or preserving social bonds (Harris, 2009). However, in the modern world, where material and emotional comparisons are amplified by social media, jealousy can quickly spira