Today, you can increasingly hear calls for positive thinking and an optimistic outlook on life. Social media is filled with advice about the importance of staying positive to solve problems and achieve success. Some even argue that sharing your failures is spreading negativity and should be avoided.
This tendency toward obsessive positivity has scientific roots. Positive psychology is a field of research that studies the benefits of a positive mood. Research in this area does show that optimistic people cope better with stress, are less depressed, and are generally healthier.
However, as Lucas Dixon, a researcher and lecturer at the University of Queensland Business School in Australia, points out, many experts criticize positive psychology for overgeneralizing and simplifying its conclusions.
The negative impact of excessive positivity
Although positive psychology can be helpful for people with stable mental health, its effectiveness is limited for those facing serious psychological problems or difficult life circumstances. In such cases, traditional psychotherapy methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, may be more effective.
Moreover, for people with mental disorders, advice to “think positively” may not only be unhelpful, but also potentially harmful.
Social media and online influencers often promote an idealized image of constant positivity as the norm. This can lead people to view their natural responses to life's challenges (such as the loss of a loved one, job loss, or relationship problems) as wrong or unhealthy. As a result, you may develop a habit of suppressing or denying your emotions, which only makes the problem worse.
Research shows that trying not to think about something often backfires. For example, a 2001 experiment demonstrated that asking people not to think about a purple elephant made people think about it even more. This is consistent with Carl Jung's statement that “what you resist is held in the mind”.
Research shows that people who try to avoid problems through positive thinking may experience more anxiety and depressive symptoms in the long term.
It is important to understand that not all life situations require an exclusively positive approach. Sometimes a realistic view of the problem can be more effective. Negative emotions can be a signal to seek professional help or reconsider a relationship.
Finally, don't forget the importance of emotional expression. Sometimes people just need to talk it out to process negative experiences and cope with strong emotions.
Balance between positivity and realism
Positive affirmations and visualization techniques, popular among influencers, require careful approach.
Self-beliefs about one's own worth and attractiveness can improve well-being, but their effectiveness depends on the person's baseline level of self-esteem. For those who are already positive, such practices can be helpful. However, for people with low self-esteem the result may be the opposite.
When a person tries to convince himself of his pride, realizing the insincerity of these statements, this can lead to negative consequences. He not only becomes more acutely aware of his shortcomings, but also feels guilty for not being truthful.
Likewise, visualizing a better future must be done with reality in mind. It is important to clearly understand your current position in order to correctly determine the direction for development and growth.
The key to success in using these methods lies in finding a balance between positive thinking and a realistic assessment of the situation. This permits you to use the power of positive thinking without losing touch with reality and without causing internal conflict.
Mindfulness and acceptance: an alternative to constant positivity
Modern psychology is increasingly moving away from the idea of continuous positivity in favor of a more balanced approach. Many experts recommend developing awareness and acceptance of your current state.
Therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy focus on developing a deeper and more sensitive relationship with one's inner world. These approaches teach not to avoid so-called “negative” thoughts and feelings, but to accept them as part of the human experience.
As researcher Lucas Dixon notes, the wisdom contained in the famous prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous remains relevant today: “God grant me the intelligence and peace of mind to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can change, and the wisdom distinguish one from the other”.
Resource: vfokuse.mail.ru
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