Hi and

every week I'm your host Dr. Ellen Hendrickson

and every week I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic

ear, and zero judgment.

So last week we tamed the green-eyed monster with an episode on How Not to be jealous. This week by request from

listener Sonia A from Phoenix, Arizona we cover another emotion of

inadequacy, envy. An envy is universal. No matter how successful one becomes, envy never really stops until you decide it does.

For example, just search online for billionaire yachts.

What drives them to one up one another?

Do they really need two helicopter landing pads?

Or is it envy?

My money is on the latter. So like jealousy, envy is a complex blended emotion.

Envy is a mix of inferiority, hostility, and resentment.

We feel envious when we negatively compare ourselves to someone we perceive as being more accomplished,

wealthy, or generally superior.

But it gets more complex.

According to a 2015 study, there are actually two types of envy.

The first is called benign envy, which is an envy that motivates you to improve yourself.

Your envy inspires you to try to attain what others have.

You want to level up.

By contrast, the second type, malicious envy, makes you resentful, angry, or even wish ill upon those you envy.

You want them to come crashing down.

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