Over the past couple of years, I’ve begun to understand just how important a positive lifestyle is. This lifestyle doesn’t guarantee a lifetime of happiness, nor does it eliminate everything bad in the world, rather, it helps you deal with it. It allows you to find some good in the bad, some beauty in the ugly and some light in the dark.
The main issue I’ve seen with this idea is its association. Some believe that this lifestyle is only necessary for those recovering from anxiety or depression, or that it is only preached by advisors who have already recovered from anxiety or depression. It is true that members of this community use the lifestyle to better themselves, and it is effective, but the idea doesn't have to be limited to one group of people.
Over time, our brains have developed what is called a “negativity bias." The US National Library of Medicine defines negativity bias as, “the propensity to attend to, learn from, and use negative information far more than positive information.” For example, when an embarrassing moment from high school sometimes comes back to haunt you, or you’re flooded with anxiety when remembering the last quiz you failed, your negativity bias is at work. Rather than focusing on the positive things, like praise you've received from professors or compliments you've been given by your friends, your conscience is consumed by negative thoughts and memories.
How does positivity play in?
Because of this natural negativity bias we all have, positivity is key. Some have a strong negativity bias, some have a weaker one, but either way, it takes effort to overcome it. The New York Times’ Tony Schwartz, along with his research on the negativity bias, tested out a personal method to overcome his own negativity bias:
“…I began to write down everything I was feeling grateful for in that moment. I got on a roll, and after just a couple of minutes, I was not only feeling remarkably better, but also far more able to concentrate on the task at hand,” Schwartz said.
Scientists and psychologists recommend other methods, such as actively remembering positive experiences, storing a mental list of positive memories and, similar to Schwartz’s experiment, keeping a gratitude journal.
Why, then, should you try to think positively?
I guess the real question is, why shouldn't you? Why not rid yourself of the anxiety and embarrassment that your brain’s negativity bias has harbored and, instead, confront it? Why not start to recognize the things you never truly appreciated, like the opportunity you've been given to live on this planet?
A healthy and positive mindset is pivotal to your mental health, productivity and success. Consciously recognizing the good things in life over the bad could create not only a better environment for you, but for the people around you as well.
Positivity does no harm, only good. Why not try it out?
