In recent years, many Personal Growth gurus have emerged who advocate positive thinking. Many of them affirm that if we think positively we can achieve most of our goals. Obviously, the idea is very tempting but, unfortunately, it is only part of the truth.
It is true that a positive attitude will help us face challenges while being more motivated, but that is not enough to achieve our goals. On the other hand, it has been shown that our unconscious resists accepting the change of some negative thoughts for positive ones. It is obvious that our brain is not so easy to fool and that the negative beliefs that we have maintained for several years cannot be changed simply by putting contrary and positive ideas in their place.
In fact, now a very interesting study once again calls positive thinking into question by analyzing its impact on the brain. According to this research, some people not only find it difficult to think positively but this change can even be harmful.
How did they reach these conclusions?
Researchers at the University of Michigan examined a series of neural markers for both positive and negative thoughts. They recruited 71 women, asked them to view a series of images that generated tension and asked them to put them in a positive perspective.
It is worth clarifying that it was decided to include only women in the study because they are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. An example of the images that were used to generate distress was that of a woman held by a man with a mask who pointed a knife at her neck.
As might be expected, people who were used to thinking positively found the task much easier. In this group, a decrease in the waves that the brain emits when we worry was observed, which shows that, in their case, positive thinking works.
However, in the group of people who tended to worry and have negative thoughts, the results were quite different. A paradoxical effect was seen in them as their brain tried to put the negative emotions they were experiencing into a positive light. Furthermore, not only was it very difficult for them to give them a positive spin, but a worsening of negative emotions was evident.
This means that for pessimistic people, thinking positively is not only difficult but can even be harmful as it would worsen their discomfort. Of course, it is not about letting them continue with their negative beliefs but a more cautious approach should be taken.
For example, it could be counterproductive for a person who has always thought “I am worthless” to advise him or her to repeat over and over again: “I am valuable.” Instead, it would be better to focus on the project they have to undertake and think “I am going to do my best on this project.” This is a much easier statement for their unconscious mind to accept.
Reference:
Moser, J.S. et. Al., (2014) Neural markers of positive reappraisal and their associations with trait reappraisal and worry. Journal of Abnormal Psychology; 123(1): 91-105.
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