Why do I feel jealous when I see my crush talking to somebody else? Why do I feel bad about myself when my sibling gets away with things more easily than I do? Why do I feel jealous of my cousins and friends? Why do I always compare myself to others? How can I stop being jealous of others? I'm sure many people had these questions that were never answered. That's why I'm here to answer all the questions that you might have.
Jealousy is the most disturbing emotion of all. It's a complex emotion that we all experience throughout our lives. It brings out the worst in everybody, even though most of us know better. Even animals like chimpanzees and elephants show tendencies of jealousy.
There is a hormone called oxytocin which is also known as the bonding or love hormone. This hormone has been linked to trust, empathy, and generosity. According to an ABC news article, “New research suggests that oxytocin plays a role in jealousy and gloating as well.” It provokes social sentiments: when the person's relationship is positive, oxytocin boosts pro-social behaviors, but when the person's relation is negative, it increases negative sentiments such as envy.
The main causes of jealousy are:
1) Insecurity - It's the most common root of jealousy. People who have low self-esteem or ego, feel jealousy more than others. This is because insecurity is the feeling of not being good enough. For example, a man who does not feel confident about his relationship with somebody might be more jealous if his significant other talks to somebody he thinks is better for them.
2) Obsessive thinking - People who think a lot about everything have a higher percentage of anxieties and worries. When you overthink about someone or something, your brain automatically fills up your questions with negative answers. These negative answers or thoughts about someone or something often lead to jealousy. A woman who overthinks a lot about where her husband goes and with whom, shows jealousy.
3) Paranoid personality - A person who has a paranoid personality deals with a mental disorder that is characterized by misconceptions and feelings of extreme distrust, suspicion, and being targeted by others. For example, a person who is always suspicious about others and never trusts anybody very easily.
Now, let's talk about how to overcome this ugly emotion. According to HowStuffWorks, “While it may never be possible to completely avoid having jealous feelings, experts do believe it is possible to control jealous behavior.” Negative feelings or thoughts often lead to jealousy, so keeping and maintaining trust is a key to avoid jealousy.
If you have any questions or feedback let me know in the comments below.
Love,
Saumya
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-is-2020/201409/3-prime-reasons-why-people-get-jealous