Emotional responses to the stresses of daily life may predict our long-term mental health, which means getting worked up by everyday irritations can often lead to mood disorders down the line.

The research, which appears online in the journal Psychological Science, suggests that maintaining emotional balance is crucial to avoiding severe mental health problems later.

Susan Charles, professor of psychology & social behavior, and her colleagues at the University of California, conducted the study in order to answer a long-standing question: Do everyday irritations add up to make the straw that breaks the camel’s back, or do they make us stronger and “inoculate” us against later tribulations?

Using data from two national surveys, the researchers found that participants’ negative emotional responses to daily stressors – such as arguments with a spouse or partner, conflicts at work, standing in long lines or sitting in traffic – predicted psychological distress and self-reported anxiety or mood disorders 10 years later.

“How we manage daily emotions matters to our overall mental health,” Prof Charles said. “We’re so focused on long-term goals that we don’t see the importance of regulating our emotions.

via Daily stresses take toll on long-term mental health, study finds – Telegraph.