Happiness can be a bad thing. Really?

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Is there such a thing as too much happiness?  It doesn't seem possible to most of us, when we are trying to get through the day and find a moment of joy in the chaos.

According to researchers, it is possible to have excessive happiness, or simply be overly positive.  Studies show that people who are always happy tend to be more rigid in their behavior.  It is also common for those with higher degrees of positivity that they often take on behaviors that are dangerous, such as drugs, alcohol and binging. 

We have to consider the idea that there is a time when feeling happy is just not acceptable.  Being continually cheerful does not allow for a person to experience fear or be truly attentive to the situation around them.  For example, continual cheeriness can give others a wrong idea.    If we are angry, it shows on our face and those around use will know to react accordingly.  The most obvious example is when we face the death of a loved one.  Putting a brave face will give others the wrong idea and will assume you are handling things just fine, when you are actually hurting and need the support of others.    

There are two specific types of happiness that have the potential to hurt us.  The first is:  happiness that can impair our social functioning, and second: happiness that is not consistent with the culture you live in.   With this information, the conclusion can be what no one would expect - being happy all the time can actually be bad for you.  While it is shown that this incessant happiness can become risky, the other side of the coin shows.  We have to consider the idea that there is a time when feeling happy is just not acceptable.  Being continually cheerful it is thought does not allow for a person to experience er or be truly attentive to the situation around them.  

Many will agree that merely conforming to a set way of acting is similar to being told not to live, not to be ourselves and our growth as a person shot down.  That may not be completely true, it simply that there are times to be happy and time to act according to certain situations.  

I have to admit I find it difficult to see how anyone can be happy all the time, not matter the situation, but I have known people who do act that way, and in a way it drove me crazy, how could they not see what I saw in the world, how could they not be upset with a certain situation?  They  just never did and it bothered me.  We are given emotions for a reason, to use them and express ourselves in all situations we face.