Barbara Fredrickson gives us core, promising truths about Positivity:
1 It feels good.
An uplifting moment of goodness, however fleeting and transient, is always welcome. The ‘feel good chemical’ dopamine is being released in the brain and we are flooded with joy.
2 It changes how your mind works.
Neuroscience tells us we can learn to hardwire our brain for happiness. We have an incredible capability to change our mindscape with positivity.
- It creates new connections and neural pathways in the brain altering the topography of the brain.
- It broadens our awareness as it widens our field of vision. We see possibilities in our peripheral vision where we didn’t know any existed.
Negativity and neutrality constrain our view and knowledge of the world. Positivity opens us as we become more broad-minded and creative. It connects us with others as we become more interactive and inclusive.
3 It transforms your future.
Positivity builds our resources: physical, social, mental, and emotional.
A sedentary lifestyle leads to cell decay but an active lifestyle promotes cell renewal (we replace 1% of our cells every day). Similarly, negativity leads to cell decay whereas positivity prompts cell growth.
Our social lives prosper, our mental agility is heightened and our emotional wellbeing improves.
4 It puts the brakes on negativity.
Positivity is not only our birthright (we have untold reserves of it), it is also our lifeline when life throws us a curve ball. Any misfortune brings negative thoughts and emotions. “Resilient people bleed as much as everyone else”. They just don’t stay stuck.
It allows us to bounce back from setbacks much faster. When we are anxious and our BP shoots up positivity offers a hidden reset button which allows us to return to rest and balance much faster.
5 It obeys a tipping point.
A small change makes a big difference. Fredrickson claims that when you maintain a positivity to negativity ratio of 3:1, you feel happier and are more fulfilled in life. The upward spiral of positivity moves in a non-linear way leading to increased momentum.
6 You can increase your life giving positivity.
Positivity doesn’t just reflect but also produces success and happiness as meta-analysis studies show. Positive feelings and thoughts have an adaptive significance for flourishing. See it as an investment. Grow your positivity.