Being positive is important to a healthy mind and body but our ability to stay positive is undermined by a natural inclination toward negativity. However, understanding the benefits of positivity and the inherent hurdles to achieving it can help. Known as the “positivity effect” the simple act of embracing positivity can have far-reaching impacts on everything from physical and mental health to a longer and happier life.
Overcoming negativity bias
The human brain has a “negativity bias” hardwired in, which according to the psychologytoday.com article, “Hacking the Brain’s Negative Bias,“ means that negative experiences dominate our thoughts while positive experiences tend to pass quickly by. We are also naturally drawn more to the negative (e.g., news, events, gossip, etc.) than we are to the positive.
But why? The verywellmind.com article, “What Is the Negativity Bias?” notes this inclination originated in early human history when intense attention to threats was essential to survival and has become a part of our genetic makeup. This also accounts for its dominance since those who were not attentive were least likely to survive and pass on the genes. As a result, being positive requires conscious actions to overcome the natural human instinct toward negativity.
Positivity and physical health
While negativity helps humans survive, research has found positivity has health benefits as well. For example, according to the hopkinsmedicine.org article, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” in families with a history of heart disease, those with a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack than those with a negative outlook.
Positivity has also been linked to other physical health benefits noted in the verywellmind.com article, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” including improved ability to manage stress, increased resistance to the common cold, increased life span, decreased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and improved well-being.
Positivity and mental health
Since positivity is a thought process, it’s not surprising that it can also improve mental health. In fact, “positive psychology” has become so important that it is a branch in the professional practice of psychology. According to the psychologytoday.com article, “Positive Psychology,” practitioners focus on helping patients build “deep satisfaction” in life, increase happiness through fulfillment, and concentrate on being grateful to increase positivity and thrive.
In addition, positivity is known to not only lower the risk of mental illness but research shows, it may also assist in recovery. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders titled, “Positive mental health as a predictor of recovery from mental illness” found that subjects with mental illness who were able to maintain or gain the highest levels of positive mental health were more likely to recover than those with the lowest levels of positive mental health.
Positivity and longevity
One possible outcome of positivity as measured through optimism that everyone can appreciate is that of longevity. Two studies described in the health.harvard.edu article, “If you are happy and you know it … you may live longer,” which included 70, 000 women in one study and 1,400 men in the other found that for both women and men, those with the highest levels of optimism were more likely to live past 85, which researchers defined as “exceptional longevity.”
Steps toward a positive outlook
One of the first ways to begin the journey to greater positivity is to address “negative self-talk” — that little voice in our heads that dictates how we feel and what we say. Since the inclination toward negative thoughts is natural, learning to think positively is the first step. According to the mayoclinic.org article, Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress,” among the ways to improve positivity are switching to positive thoughts about aspects of life that automatically incite negativity like work or relationships, laughing more, spending time with positive people, and being more positive about yourself.
Another perspective described in the psychcentral.com article “Rewiring Your Brain for Positivity with ‘Mature Gratitude’“ is to practice gratitude by being kind and thankful and focusing on what’s good instead of what’s bad (i.e., finding the silver lining and embracing it). Consciously appreciating life’s small blessings can help to begin a habit of mature gratitude, cultivating positivity as a rule rather than an exception.
Emotions are another area to investigate because, while negative emotions are essential in life, letting them take over can have bad consequences. According to the newsinhealth.nih.gov article, “Positive Emotions and Your Health,” the key is to find a balance between negative and positive emotions with an emphasis on positive emotions to enjoy the health benefits that include lower blood pressure, improved blood sugar levels, and healthier weights.
Embracing positivity is easy at Ganton’s Countryside. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.
