456. Why does feeling sad sometimes feel so good?

Why does feeling sad sometimes feel... so good? Whether it’s putting on the saddest song you know, rewatching a movie that always makes you cry, indulging in a little self-pity or finally letting yourself have a good sob, there is something strangely satisfying about sadness. And psychology may be able to explain why.
In this episode, we explore the surprising psychological value of sadness, including:
Why sadness can sometimes feel pleasurable
The psychology of sad songs and sad movies
The tragedy paradox
Why a good cry can feel so cathartic
Emotional suppression and why it exhausts us
Hedonic adaptation and why happiness loses its intensity
The surprising appeal of self-pity
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