Positive thinking can inspire and motivate, but it can also be very destructive, keyword toxic positivity. When does optimism make you unhappy?

Optimism vs. pessimism: how useful is positive thinking?

What does positive thinking really mean?

When you hear the words "positive thinking," happy thoughts of sunsets and rainbows may come to your mind Sinn. But what does it really mean? positive thinking People believe that everything will be fine because things are on the way to becoming fine. Pessimists, on the other hand, tend to see obstacles as insurmountable or inevitable. However, pessimism can also have advantages. A pessimistic outlook can help prepare you for troubles to come, and it can also force you to focus on Solutions focus instead of dwelling on problems. So how useful is positive thinking?

There is a lot of talk these days about the value of positive thinking. There are many anecdotes about the wondrous power of optimism, and there are countless self-help books promoting "positive thinking" for the Success is preached. And it seems to work too. Those who think positively are happier, less stressed, more creative, and reportedly have better relationships. But what do the experts say about this? Is this really an effective way to get through life? Do optimists really have everything? Yes, some studies show that optimists are healthier and more successful than pessimists. However, other studies show that some people are just born optimistic — and the impact may not be as great as one would like to believe.

The twelve keys to happiness and contentment

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There are exactly 12 key features above it decidewhether lucky and satisfaction can be experienced or not. Each individual characteristic is in turn dependent on several factors, each of which Warr analyzes separately. The twelve key features at a glance:

  1. Personal influence (the ability to demonstrate ability to act)
  2. Use of own abilities (the ability to develop strengths and talents)
  3. Requirements and goals (not only self-imposed goals have a motivating effect)
  4. Variety (always having to do the same, leads to depression)
  5. Clear tasks and principles (uncertainty is worrisome, causes anxiety)
  6. Social contacts (anxiety and depression are often due to the lack of social contacts)
  7. Money (although often overlooked, financial independence is an important factor in a happy life)
  8. Adequate physical environment (general living conditions)
  9. Recognition and appreciation (concrete praise for concrete achievements)
  10. Supporting superiors (honest interest and individual support)
  11. Good career prospects (the opportunity to develop)
  12. Fairness (having an employer that treats employees and customers with respect)

How we can control our emotions ourselves

The idea that you can control your own attitude and the outcome of your life is very strong. Whether or not it's possible to always be optimistic, some research has shown that optimism actually has a positive impact on how we think, feel and how we behave in professional and private life. Optimistic people tend to see themselves more positively, believing that they are more Control about their lives, and are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. Research has also shown that optimism can help us live longer. However, pessimism is not always a bad thing. Pessimism also has its advantages, e.g. B. a greater caution towards risks and a more realistic assessment of our limits.

Positive thinking is one in the western Society widespread Idea, which has not yet been conclusively examined scientifically. There are many different types of positive thinkers, and the benefits associated with optimism depend on which type you belong to. Scientific research suggests that people who consistently think positively can cope with stressful situations more easily, have less pain and are healthier. However, constantly telling yourself that you need to deny your feelings or wait for something better than what you are experiencing can be damaging.

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Optimism or pessimism: which is better?

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We see two opposing attitudes here: optimism and pessimism. Which is the better way to live? Optimists are usually seen with a smile. Their glass is half full and they see life on the bright side. They believe that with hard work and positive thinking they can achieve their goals Set reachable. Pessimists are less likely to smile. You believe that Welt is full of negativity and deprivation. Therefore, they wait for their dreams to be taken away from them before attempting to achieve them themselves.

Do you think you are an optimist or a pessimist? what does your glass say I personally hate pesism. In my experience, the constant talk about the fact that the glass is now half empty instead of half full also hinders productivity: because if you say from the outset that something is only negative, you often don't even start with it. A self-fulfilling prophecy, so to speak. The negative Perspective that is supposed to protect against damage, because one is already prepared for everything (and one is never!) then very often leads to the fact that one leaves it all at once - motto: "Why should I actually do that, yes it works nothing!” The only thing this attitude does is that we Brain train to be more aware of negative things and give them more Significance to lend as good for her.

The phenomenon of toxic positivity

But of course everything has two sides and even optimistic thinking has a dark side, so to speak - when optimism becomes compulsive. In today's world, it is common to turn life's events on a positive note and to show bravery in the face of difficulties. This is an instinctive reaction to make the best of a difficult situation, but when taken too far, this phenomenon is called toxic positivity. Toxic positivity refers to a mindset that sees any negative emotion or experience as wrong or bad, and instead encourages a person to focus on the positive sides of any situation. Toxic positivity is the belief that one should always focus on the positive side of life, even when real feelings say otherwise.

However, as well-intentioned as it may be, toxic positivity can be incredibly harmful, make us really miserable, even bring us whole crises. Of course when it comes to our mental Health we all want to focus on the positive. However, it's important to realize that this isn't always the best approach. It is important to realize that in Order is to be down sometimes, and that it's important to recognize and express genuine feelings rather than burying them under a layer of false positivity.


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