Why Do People Get Stressed When They're Happy?

Imagine you're playing your favorite game, and suddenly the timer starts ticking down. Even though you’re having fun, that timer makes you feel stressed because it’s a reminder that the game won’t last forever. When you're happy, sometimes your brain reminds you that good things don't always stay perfect, which can make you feel stressed even when everything else is great.

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. You're eating your favorite ice cream on a sunny day, but you start worrying it will melt before you finish.
  2. You win a prize at school and are happy, but then you think about the test coming up next week and feel stressed.
  3. Your best friend visits for the weekend, and you enjoy every minute, but halfway through the visit, you feel anxious that they might have to leave.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity