The Positivity Complex
We have a strange problem in our society today, and that's the problem, we're focused on problems. For instance, while a large pool of research has shown no actual major increase in crime rates per capita, and in some places there's actual been a decrease, we feel the world has gotten far darker, and much more dangerous. We hold mental health days or health weeks, fairs, conferences, all while uncovering yet another lot of self diagnosed depression. In fact, our "health days", are more akin to "symptom days".
We take vast quantities of time, focused on illnesses and symptoms. Soon we find ourselves with a lengthy list of what's wrong with us, and no idea what's right. It should be pointed out, that being of good health reaches beyond simply the absence of illness, but operating at our best. We spend copious amounts of time dedicated to bad news, coupled with the instant source of social media continual live updates, and an infinite refresh rate, it's not hard for things to begin to look bleak. Consider as well, a person is TEN times more likely to share something negative opposed to something positive (those who have worked in any service job can attest to that), it's no wonder things are looking so grim, because everything is telling us it is.
We have a distorted perspective. Our brains are seemingly hardwired for pessimism, negativity, cynicism, and discontentment. Just look at our notion of success. We have this formula:
WORK HARDER-->MORE SUCCESSFUL-->HAPPIER
However, it's all a sham. Every time we have a success, we change our standard on what success is. I got a good grade, now I need a better grade; I got a new car, now I need a newer car, or a house. While there's nothing wrong with striving for something, what is it we're striving for?
There's this notion, as the formula suggests, that we'll attain happiness if we just become more successful. But we can't even seem to decide upon what success is. What we really need, is to raise our positivity, to rewire ourselves. Our brains perform better when operating in a positive state, compared to a negative, or even a neutral state. To further that, a positive state promotes creativity, boosts intelligence, and increases our energy. When we begin to view our world through a positive lens, versus a non-positive, things may not appear as dark.
The simple answer to this, is science. To be more specific, neuroscience. When our brains release this magical chemical known as dopamine, we feel good; it makes us happy. Dopamine activates the parts of the brain associated with learning and creativity, and allows us to adapt or adjust to what's happening around us. In a matter of speaking, it helps us become more resilient.
Therein, we raise for ourselves, a question: How do we suddenly get more dopamine? Some people attempt to do this with some less than legal methods, however there are far simpler, safer, and legal methods. We often feel our inclinations, our predispositions, our demeanor, are hardwired; impossible to change. However, that is just not the case.
I, myself, am guilty of being painfully negative and cynical. The good news, is that these are actually learned habits. I've noticed the younger a person, the more positive their outlook. That's because like any learned habit it takes time to form. Studies say it takes 21 days to make, break, or change a habit. Look at it this way; three weeks, three quarters of a month, not even one full month; boom, a habit. In a relatively short period of time we can begin to rewire and readjust our mentality. That brings me to this: a few, easy things we can do, to shift our perspective and begin seeing the bright side of life.
1)JOURNAL
reflect each day on the previous 24 hours, and write down one positive. You'll find yourself beginning to see what was good about the day, and not just what wasn't good. Our day can be monotonous and grey, but there's bound to be some shred of light, we just need to learn how to focus on it some times.
2)RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
doing good for others, simply to do good, does good for ourselves. We may even end up being that positive moment in someone else's day.
3)GRATITUDE
find three new things you're thankful for each day, and write them down. Similar to the journal, however it teaches us to look beyond the immediate culture we live in. I've had days on end where I would have like to pull my hair out, then I think of my family, my country, and things that make my life good for a reason. The things I'm gracious for.
4)CUT THE CHORD
In my family, we've cut out social media for periods of time. We've limited the amount of exposure we get to screens. And we avoid succumbing to the endless scrolling certain platforms offer us. The interesting thing is, when we do that, we've actually found ourselves feeling less down. We aren't constantly comparing our lives to what we perceive others lives are from what we see on the screen. We aren't continually bombarded with despair. Give yourself a break from the feed.
The world is just the world. It's what we make of it. If our outlook is dark, the world will look dark. However, if our outlook is not so much, we begin to see the hope, and the light. There are great injustices that happen every day, and there are those that stand up against it.
Don't let someone else blow out your light.
We take vast quantities of time, focused on illnesses and symptoms. Soon we find ourselves with a lengthy list of what's wrong with us, and no idea what's right. It should be pointed out, that being of good health reaches beyond simply the absence of illness, but operating at our best. We spend copious amounts of time dedicated to bad news, coupled with the instant source of social media continual live updates, and an infinite refresh rate, it's not hard for things to begin to look bleak. Consider as well, a person is TEN times more likely to share something negative opposed to something positive (those who have worked in any service job can attest to that), it's no wonder things are looking so grim, because everything is telling us it is.
We have a distorted perspective. Our brains are seemingly hardwired for pessimism, negativity, cynicism, and discontentment. Just look at our notion of success. We have this formula:
WORK HARDER-->MORE SUCCESSFUL-->HAPPIER
However, it's all a sham. Every time we have a success, we change our standard on what success is. I got a good grade, now I need a better grade; I got a new car, now I need a newer car, or a house. While there's nothing wrong with striving for something, what is it we're striving for?
There's this notion, as the formula suggests, that we'll attain happiness if we just become more successful. But we can't even seem to decide upon what success is. What we really need, is to raise our positivity, to rewire ourselves. Our brains perform better when operating in a positive state, compared to a negative, or even a neutral state. To further that, a positive state promotes creativity, boosts intelligence, and increases our energy. When we begin to view our world through a positive lens, versus a non-positive, things may not appear as dark.
The simple answer to this, is science. To be more specific, neuroscience. When our brains release this magical chemical known as dopamine, we feel good; it makes us happy. Dopamine activates the parts of the brain associated with learning and creativity, and allows us to adapt or adjust to what's happening around us. In a matter of speaking, it helps us become more resilient.
Therein, we raise for ourselves, a question: How do we suddenly get more dopamine? Some people attempt to do this with some less than legal methods, however there are far simpler, safer, and legal methods. We often feel our inclinations, our predispositions, our demeanor, are hardwired; impossible to change. However, that is just not the case.
I, myself, am guilty of being painfully negative and cynical. The good news, is that these are actually learned habits. I've noticed the younger a person, the more positive their outlook. That's because like any learned habit it takes time to form. Studies say it takes 21 days to make, break, or change a habit. Look at it this way; three weeks, three quarters of a month, not even one full month; boom, a habit. In a relatively short period of time we can begin to rewire and readjust our mentality. That brings me to this: a few, easy things we can do, to shift our perspective and begin seeing the bright side of life.
1)JOURNAL
reflect each day on the previous 24 hours, and write down one positive. You'll find yourself beginning to see what was good about the day, and not just what wasn't good. Our day can be monotonous and grey, but there's bound to be some shred of light, we just need to learn how to focus on it some times.
2)RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
doing good for others, simply to do good, does good for ourselves. We may even end up being that positive moment in someone else's day.
3)GRATITUDE
find three new things you're thankful for each day, and write them down. Similar to the journal, however it teaches us to look beyond the immediate culture we live in. I've had days on end where I would have like to pull my hair out, then I think of my family, my country, and things that make my life good for a reason. The things I'm gracious for.
4)CUT THE CHORD
In my family, we've cut out social media for periods of time. We've limited the amount of exposure we get to screens. And we avoid succumbing to the endless scrolling certain platforms offer us. The interesting thing is, when we do that, we've actually found ourselves feeling less down. We aren't constantly comparing our lives to what we perceive others lives are from what we see on the screen. We aren't continually bombarded with despair. Give yourself a break from the feed.
The world is just the world. It's what we make of it. If our outlook is dark, the world will look dark. However, if our outlook is not so much, we begin to see the hope, and the light. There are great injustices that happen every day, and there are those that stand up against it.
Don't let someone else blow out your light.
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