Negativity: Definition, Bias, & Tips to Stop ItWhat is negativity? Where does negativity come from? And how do you turn your negative thoughts and emotions into more positive thoughts and emotions? Find out here.
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What is negativity?Negativity is defined as the tendency to be down, skeptical, and pessimistic. If we are being negative, we generally find the worst in any situation, often even seeing negative things where they may not exist. That's why negativity tends to be bad for our mental health and well-being.
What is the negativity bias?We're all prone towards negativity because we have a negativity bias. The negativity bias is the notion that negative things (emotions, thoughts, events) tend to have a larger effect on our mental state and well-being than positive things.
Where else does negativity come from?In addition to the negativity bias, some of us may be prone to negativity because of genetic or environmental factors. For example, the COMT gene can make us more anxious and worried, leading us to experience negative situations more intensely. The way we were raised can also increase our negativity. For example, if our parents were always complaining and pointing out the negative things in life, then we were actually taught to see these negative things more clearly than people whose parents focused on positive things.
Can we become less negative?Absolutely! The whole concept of therapy is about teaching people skills that help them reduce negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is entirely possible to reduce our negativity. That being said, our brains have already developed habits that make it easier for us to be negative. Learning how to be more positive will take some effort and practice. Here's how to get started:
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We have to be careful about how we spend our time on our phones because some ways can increase negativity while other ways decrease it. I spent a year researching how we can have healthier relationships with our phones—for example by connecting, and practicing gratitude, and setting boundaries on our phones. Learn how to outsmart your smartphone to decrease your negativity too.
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17. Be negative too, when it makes sense for you
In my field, we talk a lot about how to feel more positive emotions and less negative emotions. But negative thoughts sometimes have benefits too. We can't just push them all away without some careful thinking. For example, sadness helps us tell others that we need their support. Anger can help motivate us to take action to correct injustice in the world. And anxiety can protect us from making mistakes that hurt us in the long term. We just have to be careful that we don't have these emotions out of habit. Instead, we need to choose the emotions that help us achieve whatever we desire.
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